ASU chancellor, wife set up scholarship endowments

Arkansas State University Chancellor Kelly Damphousse and his wife Beth Damphousse have made personal commitments to future generations of students.

For the Day of Giving, which is Tuesday (April 27), they have committed $200,000 to fund two scholarship endowments they are creating through a planned gift.

“There has never been a better time to share our desire to continue supporting our Red Wolves and their parents long after we have left this world,” they said in a joint statement. “A-State’s Day of Giving is so important, as we all come together behind our common interest – Arkansas State University, its students, and its employees. While our past giving to A-State has always been done privately, we hope this announcement will encourage others to consider supporting A-State in the area in which they have the most interest, wherever that may be.”

The Beth Damphousse Retention Scholarship is designated for dependents of full-time ASU staff members as their students enter their second (sophomore) year at ASU.

The Kelly Damphousse Retention Scholarship is for first-generation college students entering their second (sophomore) year at ASU. Kelly himself was a first-generation college student and has a special affinity for those who are first in their family to pursue a college education.

The couple is currently contributing to these endowments, and the first scholarships will be awarded this fall. When the $200,000 endowment is realized, the funds will earn enough to award $8,000 in scholarships (or eight $1,000 awards) each year in perpetuity.

“The Damphousses will get to award these scholarships during their lifetimes and at the same time know their legacies will live on here as well,” added Dr. Erika Chudy, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Their gifts show the power of planned giving to endowments. I am excited about our first Day of Giving, and the opportunity that it provides for our friends and alumni to support their university.”