$2.2 Million Werner Gift will Fund Full-tuition Scholarships

A former U.S. Postal Service worker and his wife, who were long-term residents of Greensboro and alumni of Guilford College, have established the first endowed, full-tuition scholarships at the college through a $2.2 million gift from their estate.  The scholarships are scheduled to be awarded for the first time in the 2008-09 academic year.

The scholarships were funded by a gift from Frank Erwin Werner and his wife, Ava Roberts Werner, who graduated in the Classes of 1934 and 1933, respectively.  Frank Werner died in 2007 and Ava, in 2003.  He worked for the postal service for 34 years and they lived on West Friendly Avenue in the city.  They met in college and were married in 1937 at New Garden Friends Meeting by College President Clyde Milner. 

Recipients of the Frank Erwin and Eva Roberts Werner Scholarships will receive full tuition as well as a stipend for additional academic support needs to be determined. The need-based awards are renewable for four years and require the maintenance of a 3.5 grade-point average.

“The Werners’ intention was that deserving and well-qualified students would have the opportunity for a Guilford education, one that served them so well over their lifetimes,” said President Kent Chabotar.  “The Werner Scholarships will enable the college to attract top students with the promise of significant financial support.  We are very grateful that the Werners had the vision and commitment to establish this endowed fund.”

Joseph M. Bryan Jr., chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “The Werners are role models for all of us who are Guilford graduates. They had believed in the value of higher education and in young people.  Their gift will benefit many generations of future students at the college.  I only wish we had been given the chance to honor their generosity and had them meet student scholarship recipients while they were living.”

Frank Werner, a native of Hammonton, N.J., graduated from Guilford with a bachelor’s degree in economics.  He was superintendent of mails for the Personnel Division of the Regional Section Center in Greensboro at the time of his retirement in 1970.   He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

At Guilford, Frank Werner participated in the choir, with the Guilfordian newspaper staff, Dramatic Council, Fine Arts Club, French Club, Henry Clay Debating Society and men’s tennis team.

Ava Werner, a native of Floydale, S.C., earned a bachelor’s degree in English and was employed for 17 years as a credit analyst with Blue Bell Inc.  At Guilford, Ava Werner was active in Student Government and the choir.

In their later years, the Werners lived in Myrtle Beach and Little River, S.C., where he was a licensed Coast Guard captain and operated a charter boat.

Feb. 27, 2008