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Martha Pullum, Ira Mae Bruce Receive Surprise Gifts of Endowed Scholarships

07/09/2004

What do you buy your best friend's wife for her birthday? That's easy. You get her very own scholarship in her name at Okaloosa-Walton College.

Actually, it was Bill Pullum's idea. "I just wanted to do something for Ira Mae for all her good work in our community and help the college at the same time," said Pullum, the Navarre developer of his surprise birthday present: the Ira Mae Bruce Scholarship Endowment at OWC.

Martha Pullum

"Not to be out done, especially since Pullum's wife Martha has same birthday as his wife, Gaius Bruce, the former OWC instructor and coordinator of athletics, decided on another surprise birthday present: the Martha Pullum Scholarship Endowment. Both scholarships will help support local students to attend OWC.

"It was a great birthday surprise for both of them," said Bruce. "Ira Mae and Martha have been friends for a long time, and what can I say about Bill Pullum. He's a terrific friend to both of us and a great supporter of the college."

"We just know how important an education is the future of our area and if we can provide a way for students to succeed with the scholarships that's even better," said Pullum after the mid-summer birthday party where the two women were told about the scholarship donations in their honor.

And were the women surprised?

Ira Mae Bruce

"You bet I was," exclaimed Ira Mae Bruce. "You just couldn't imagine. It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Bill and Martha are our best friends, so it made it made it even more special."

"I was floored by it all," said Martha Pullum. "What a truly wonderful thing for Gaius to do. I knew what Bill was doing with the Ira Mae's scholarship, but when Gaius said he had another surprise I was shocked. It was quite a birthday."

OWC president Dr. Bob Richburg said he too was surprised.

"Bill Pullum and Gaius Bruce are two fine gentlemen and college is appreciative of their generosity," said Richburg. "It really is an honor for us to establish the scholarships for Martha and Ira Mae. I have gotten to know both over the years. The scholarships are a marvelous way to recognize these women."