TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Dave Campbell, a former chair of Indiana State University’s Board of Trustees, and his wife Peggy, who have supported the university philanthropically for 35 straight years, have made a $250,000 gift from their estate.
The gift will support the Fund for ISU, which serves the university’s greatest needs, and two existing scholarships, the David C. and Margaret L. Campbell Scholarship for Liberal Arts and the Dwaine and Martha Woolsey/Charles and Phyllis Campbell Memorial Scholarship.
“ISU is so grateful to Dave and Peggy Campbell for this wonderful gift,” ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis said. “Dave has had a significant impact through his leadership at Indiana State over the years, and now he and Peggy are making a lasting contribution to the success of our students. We sincerely appreciate this meaningful planned gift.”
The David C. and Margaret L. Campbell Scholarship for Liberal Arts, honors the Campbells’ passion for diverse curricula. Dave, who graduated from ISU in 1971 with a degree in political science, and Peggy, who is a 1972 graduate with a degree in speech language pathology, enjoyed broadening their worldview through liberal arts courses.
The scholarship supports students pursuing degrees in communication, history, humanities, languages, literature, linguistics, philosophy, or political science who aspire to attend graduate or law school.
The Dwaine and Martha Woolsey/Charles and Phyllis Campbell Scholarship, supports non-traditional students in the College of Arts and Sciences and honors Dave and Peggy Campbell’s parents.
Peggy’s mother, Martha Woolsey, earned a full scholarship to college after high school, but she couldn’t afford to live without an immediate income.
“My parents weren’t married yet, but my dad promised my mom that someday she could go to college,” Peggy said. “She started college at the same time I did. That’s why we wanted it to go to a non-traditional student — in honor of that pledge that my dad made to her.”
Giving back to the university that brought them together is a passion Dave and Peggy Campbell have carried throughout their lives.
“There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from being able to give back and do things for other people,” Dave said.
Their record of giving to ISU made them members of the Dale McKee Society. They are also members of ISU’s 1865 Society in recognition of their planned giving and the Book and Torch Society for their lifetime giving. In 2017, then-ISU President Daniel J. Bradley awarded Dave and Peggy Campbell the William Albert Jones Medal, in honor of their outstanding service and exemplary advice and counsel to his presidency.
“Dave and Peggy care deeply about Indiana State and have continually demonstrated their commitment to its everlasting success,” said Dr. Christopher Olsen, ISU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Their belief in this university and our mission is evident in everything they do. I am particularly honored that they continue to support the traditional liberal arts as a critical, foundational part of a university education.”
In addition to the couple’s philanthropy, Dave Campbell has served the university in numerous leadership capacities. He is an emeritus member of the ISU Foundation Board of Directors and held the position of chair during his term. Dave Campbell is also a former member of the ISU Board of Trustees and served as its chair from 2015-2017.
“Dave and Peggy’s bold support of, and service to, their alma mater is an inspiration to us all,” said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the ISU Foundation. “Their exuberant passion for Indiana State has touched this campus in innumerable ways, and they will continue to impact Sycamores for generations to come.”
