Gaius Bruce/FACC Scholarship Honors Long-Time OWC Instructor
07/08/2004
Bill and Martha Pullum were not about to let their good friend Gaius Bruce, of Navarre, slip quietly off to retirement without something to mark his 37 years at Okaloosa-Walton College.
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"We've really gotten to know Gaius and his wife Ira Mae over the years and appreciate the dedication to education and his sincerity for other people," said Pullum, a Navarre developer.
When the Pullums learned that the OWC chapter of the Florida Association of Community Colleges also had wanted to honor Bruce with a scholarship in his name to recognize his service to that organization as state president, Bill Pullum said, "That's even better. Martha and I know Gaius has a big heart and he's worked hard for the college a long time."
Bruce, who came to the junior college in 1966 as a physical education instructor and later became coordinator of student activities and then coordinator of athletics, said he was "a little overwhelmed and really grateful" for the generosity of the Pullums in funding the scholarship. "Bill and Martha are such great friends and I will always remember this kindness," Bruce said.
"I also have to give special thanks to the people of the college who are FACC members for their help in making the scholarship possible too. The FACC chapter began raising scholarship funds for the foundation when I was president of the organization. I know their dedication and I am thankful for the recognition."
Dr. Bob Richburg, OWC president, said Bill and Martha Pullum "have become such good friends of our college and the endowed scholarship in honor of Gaius Bruce is just further testimony of their generosity. I must also salute Gaius's many FACC friends for their support of this effort."
Richburg noted that the Pullums already had created two scholarship endowments, designating the anticipated proceeds from real estate sales, for the Ross and Jenny Hamilton Science Scholarship and the Vicki Richburg Teaching Scholarship. However, when some lots had not been sold by the deadline for the Foundation to apply for matching funds, Pullum made a cash gift so the endowments would qualify for the state match. "That is the sort of individual Bill Pullum is," said Richburg. "He and Martha want the students to have the opportunity to attend college and they work to make it happen through their scholarship support."
For information on the OWC Foundation and opportunities to support the college through scholarships or other endeavors, contact 729-5357.
