Twins make identical pledges for Bell Tower

Furman Magazine Volume 46 Issue 2 Summer 2003 Article 26 6-1-2003 Twins make identical pledges for Bell Tower Craig Waldon '71 Furman University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/furman-magazine Recommended Citation Waldon, Craig '71 (2003) "Twins make identical pledges for Bell Tower," Furman Magazine: Vol. 46 : Iss. 2 , Article 26. Available at: https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/furman-magazine/vol46/iss2/26 This Article is made available online by Journals, part of the Furman University Scholar Exchange (FUSE). It has been accepted for inclusion in Furman Magazine by an authorized FUSE administrator. For terms of use, please refer to the FUSE Institutional Repository Guidelines. For more information, please contact . Tradition of service Twins make identical pledges for Bell Tower Consider this saying: one is good, two Parents Association co-chairs believe in getting involved C indy and Bobby Bowers of Alpharetta, Ga., new co-chairs of Furman's Parents Association, have a history of service and experience with colleges and college-preparatory schools. Cindy, a retired English teacher, joined Bobby as 2002-03 co-presidents of the Upper School (high school) at Woodward Academy, where their three sons have attended. Bobby, a certified public accountant and chief financial officer for Tascware, Inc., is a member of the board of Woodward Academy and of campus ministries at Auburn University and Georgia Tech. He has also served on the advisory board of Auburn's School of Accountancy. Their determination to be directly involved in their children's schools, they believe, was instilled in large part by their parents. Says Bobby, "My father told me that his investment in his children's education would pay dividends long after he was gone. Cindy and I are the beneficiaries of our parents' academic concerns, and we are only grate fully following their examples." They admit, however, that they didn't realize how much fun they would have in the process. On almost any weekend during the school year, you will find them traveling the Southeast, watching their sons play any number of sports. Eldest son Robby is a sophomore at Furman and a member of the baseball team . Seventeen-year old Ryan, a senior at Woodward, is a cross country runner (middle distances in track) - and a Furman Scholar. Brett, the youngest at 1 5, plays football and runs track for Woodward. Once Robby decided to attend Furman, his parents were more than willing to contribute their expertise and leadership skills to the Parents Association. The group works to support the uni versity through fund-raising projects and involve ment in such activities as Furman Clubs and the Furman Admissions Network (FAN). Both Cindy and Bobby say they are delighted that Robby chose Furman over several other schools. Bobby says, "Frankly, you could say all of the schools had beautiful campuses and out standing academic reputations, but the difference was in the Furman people." And Furman's personal touch remains con stant. For example, when a close friend of Robby's died last fall, they were impressed that faculty and coaches called their son to express concern and support. "Everyone is focused upon our child getting the most out of his Furman experience," says Bobby. - Judy Wilson Director, Parents Programs is better. Then again, maybe not. Just ask parents of twins if they agree with that tug at the heart-strings, especially when my twin sister is the one doing the tugging. In support of my sister's generous donation, I, too, will donate $5 ,000 over the next statement. four years. " like to thank the mother and father of Edith better, it will be doubled, thanks to the But at least in one case, Furman would and John Lovegren, twins who graduated from Furman in 1 98 1 . For Furman, two Lovegrens are a wonderful thing. And t o make John's donation even matching gift program of MasterCard International. The generosity of folks like the At Furman, both twins majored in Lovegrens has helped Furman raise more Singers. Today Edie is a physician i n for the Bell Tower restoration and endow chemistry and were members of the Furman Colorado, and John is a n executive with than $765,000 toward the $1 million needed ment. The project is scheduled to begin MasterCard International in Michigan. in June 2004 about the Bell Tower restoration project. S. Lovegren and John K. Lovegren will be Not long ago, Edie called to inquire And when it does, the names of Edith She expressed her love of music and the placed on a plaque at the Bell Tower with for the Bell Tower. Then she made a pledge more. Donors of $1 ,000 or more will have beauty of the campus, as well as her affinity of $5,000 toward the $ 1 million project to restore and endow the tower and the Burnside Carillon. While documenting her gift record, I discovered that she had a twin. I sent her an e-mail and asked if John shared her affection for all things Furman and if she felt he would consider participating in the project. Within days I received this message from John: "Furman and music still both the names of other donors of $5 ,000 or their names engraved on a brick placed in the "Anniversary Walk," the pathway lead ing to the Bell Tower. Graduates since 1 987 may purchase a brick for $500. - Craig Waldon '71 Director, Donor Research Gifts, pledges and inquiries about the Bell Tower project should be directed to Craig Waldon at (864) 294-2157, or by e-mail to craig. waldon @furman. edu. A special legacy from Sal ly Groome Col. Sally L. Groome ' 59 served many tours of duty during her 26 years in the U.S. Army, but she considered her four years at Furman her "best tour." She entered the Army in 1 960 follow ing a year as an elementary school teacher, and during her career she held various command and staff assignments throughout the United States and Germany. Her last position was as chief of the training division for the Army ROTC Cadet Command, where she was responsible for al� ROTC programs. Sally had fond memories of Furman, but she also remembered how, as a student, she had to work almost full time to pay for her education. She recalled that she never had the "pin money" to participate in extracurricular activities and special events. As a result, she always felt she was on the periphery, watching others enjoy the social side of their Furman experience. She never forgot that "outsider" The fund will be used to provide an annual stipend to a deserving American born female student with financial need who is either orphaned or from a single parent family and who maintains at least a 2.0 grade-point average. The stipend may be used for the purchase of books, for personal expenses or for unexpected per sonal welfare exigencies. I had the privilege of working with Sally to help make her wishes become reality. During our telephone conversations I developed a great respe (...truncated)