By: Jenna Spendlove, Executive Director, DEF "A day spent helping no one but yourself is a day wasted.” Abraham Lincoln It is always important to take time to recognize and demonstrate appreciation for those who have given so much to our D’Evelyn Community. Longtime board member and volunteer, Ralph Spencer, has recently resigned from the D’Evelyn Education Foundation. Ralph has donated countless hours over the last 20 years in supporting and enhancing D’Evelyn. He first served on the Steering Committee when his daughter, Hannah, entered D’Evelyn and completed two three-years terms. He then became a Foundation Board Member where he has served as DEF Treasurer and participated in managing the Foundation Scholarship Program. He wrote monthly articles for our weekly newsletter, Jaguar Tracks, and organized the Ice Cream Social for many years during parent/teacher conferences. He and his wife, Janet, have also established and funded a $1,000 scholarship honoring a graduating DHS senior who will enter a college or university with the goal of majoring in one of the many medical fields offered in today's institutions of higher learning. Ralph has been so generous and conscientious about working behind the scenes to support and encourage our D’Evelyn students. The D’Evelyn community is grateful to Ralph for his generosity, both for his volunteerism and financial donation and for his unwavering support for our school community. Thank you! “In my 19 years at D’Evelyn, few individuals have dedicated as much time, support, and care for our school as Ralph Spencer. Ralph has been involved in Steering Committee, Accountability Committee, and the D’Evelyn Education Foundation during his 20+ years of involvement in the school. He is a true champion of D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School. I’m grateful to him for his support and leadership in both the D’Evelyn and Dennison community, as his all-around dedication to ensuring that D’Evelyn continues to be an amazing school for students forever!” - Josh Griffin, Principal "Ralph has an attention to detail which has made him an invaluable asset to the DEF Scholarship Program. He has grown the monetary awards to a record amount of $34,250. Last year 99 individual applications were submitted, another record amount! With his guidance the application process was streamlined making it easier for students to apply. Revision of the overall Synopsis was completed, and a new checklist created. Ralph personally drives the Scholarship materials to the homes of the Scholarship Award Committee members, thus making it easier for the volunteers who graciously read volumes of essays and applications. His fairness to each student and the program is exemplary. In addition to his countless years as a volunteer (since 2008), he has donated funds for a medical scholarship and at times filled in funds for underfunded scholarships. His enjoyable personality and get it done attitude have grown the Scholarship Program immensely. The time Ralph and his wife, Janet, donate to the program is a gift to the past and present students of D’Evelyn." - Kim McSwain, Counseling Secretary "I would like to personally thank Ralph Spencer for being my colleague, mentor, and friend. When I began working for the D'Evelyn Education Foundation as their bookkeeper, Ralph was always there to help me out and to answer my questions. He did the little things to make my job easier, like sign the checks and run to the bank to make deposits for me. He also did the more demanding things, like being the liaison between DEF and the investment company. Ralph loved D'Evelyn and served on the Steering Committee for many years, and then on the Foundation's Board for many more. His dedication to the school is unsurpassed, and I will miss him (and his very white mustache!). Thank you, Ralph, for everything you've done for me. I truly appreciate it." - Jamie Durkin, DEF Financial Officer “Ralph has given so much to the D’Evelyn community through his generosity and his volunteer efforts. I have witnessed his willingness to jump in when he sees a need, time and again, over the years. He gets the job done without a lot of fanfare or need for recognition. I have appreciated what an amazing friend Ralph has become while serving with him on both the Steering Committee and the D’Evelyn Education Foundation. Ralph is one of the most loyal and dedicated individuals I have ever met. When he commits to a project, he is all in and doesn’t waver from his dedication and active support. He truly has a heart of gold.” - Kay D’Evelyn La Montagne, DEF Board Member From left to right: Jothi Ravindran, Jennifer Bountry, Ann Freimuth, Ralph Spencer, and Janet Spencer
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The D'Evelyn Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. The Board of Directors oversees the finances, legal issues and long-term strategic plans of the organization Archives
May 2023
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