Endowed scholarship established in honor of Tarpley at DSCC

The Messenger 12.10.08

In honor of Dr. Douglas “Buck” Tarpley’s 32 years of service to Dyersburg State Community College, the DSCC Foundation Board has established an endowed scholarship in his honor.
The announcement was made by DSCC Foundation vice chair David Hayes at the annual Foundation Dinner and meeting recently held at Lupo’s Restaurant in Dyersburg.
Tarpley retired as DSCC’s vice president for institutional advancement on Oct. 31. He was hired by DSCC in 1976 as administrative assistant, became dean of institutional advancement in 1991 and was promoted to vice president for Institutional Advancement in 1993. He has worked with community and DSCC leaders to raise over $10 million for the Dyersburg State Community College Annual Fund. He helped to charter and to develop the Endowment Fund of the DSCC Foundation, which had a value of over $5 million on June 30.
As chief grant writer for the college, he wrote successful grants for critical programs, including Title III, Student Support Services, Upward Bound and GEAR-UP.
Tarpley has also served on numerous college, local and state committees. He helped found the Tennessee Council for Resource Development for Community College and served as the Chair of the Tennessee Board of Regents Excellence in Philanthropy Committee.
In acknowledging the honor, Tarpley said, “The word that comes to me tonight is privileged. I was privileged, and I emphasize the word privileged, to serve as secretary of the Dyersburg State Foundation from its beginning until October 31st of this year. When I began my career, the last thing I ever expected to do was resource development. Thanks to a generous community, the best Foundation Board members anywhere and Dr. Bowyer’s unfailing support, much has been accomplished for those in need and for the quality of education they deserve.”
At the close of the meeting, Hayes was elected to serve as foundation chair and Larry White was elected vice chair. Dr. Bowyer recognized outgoing chair Katie Winchester for her work as board chairman and annual fund chair. She presented Ms. Winchester with a photo album filled with photos taken at the many events and meetings she has attended on Dyersburg State’s behalf through the years.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Winchester said, “Serving on the Foundation Board of Dyersburg State Community College presents the opportunity to make a positive difference in the economic future of our community. Community colleges train 80 percent of the country’s police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians and more than half of its new nurses and health care workers. More than any other institution of higher learning, they train displaced workers and immigrants seeking language and cultural skills. Community colleges are where people most often go when they need to brush up on math or English before pursuing a college degree. And in today’s economy, they have become increasingly attractive to families who can’t afford to send their kids to a four-year school.”
The DSCC Foundation is a separate legal entity established to benefit, promote and otherwise support through financial and other means the purposes of Dyersburg State Community College. Its work is overseen by a board of directors.

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