The William D. Roe President's Leadership Class Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Background
Thank you for your interest in the William D. Roe President's Leadership Class Scholarship. The President’s Leadership Class (PLC) at The University of Oklahoma (OU) was a pivotal step in Bill's journey. With your support, we can honor Bill and his memory by giving others a chance to follow in his footsteps.
When my brother Bill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, I felt helpless, but knew I wanted to do something to provide a lasting legacy. After discussing this idea with our family, we decided to honor Bill in a way that would allow others to have the same kinds of opportunities to take chances and accept responsibilities early in life that Bill was able to have. Thanks to the support of the OU Club of Houston as well as family and friends, this scholarship aims to help selected high school student leaders from Houston, Texas, reduce their out-of-state tuition gap during their freshman year at OU. Every dollar given from this scholarship will be matched by the OU Alumni Association Tuition Matching Program, through tuition and fee waivers, up to $2,500 per student.
President's Leadership Class
The garden of life has many forking paths. For Bill, PLC was an important path. At an early age, Bill and I were encouraged by our parents to attend college. Although they had no formal education beyond high school, they instilled in us the importance of a college education. Fortunately for Bill, his basketball skills helped secure him a spot at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma. However, with encouragement from a Shawnee High School counselor, Bill applied for PLC at OU and was accepted into the second year of this prestigious program. The financial assistance afforded by PLC allowed Bill to attend OU, where he met Peggy and many other lifelong friends.
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The Path Forward
Often, one person’s path affects the paths of others. Bill’s association with PLC not only shaped his life, but also mine. I followed my big brother to OU, where I met my wife Jane Anne. Now, we want to help clear the paths for others, to help them build the kinds of lives and relationships that are so important to us. This scholarship will create a legacy. What is a legacy if not a path cleared by others that one can travel for oneself as if a pioneer?
Our family has been blessed by having Bill in our lives and we hope that you will consider making a gift in Bill's memory today. You can make a secure donation on the OU Foundation website today or see our link "Ways to Give" for information on paying by the transfer of securities or a check.
As we work to build this scholarship fund, we ask for your suggestions on how to reach others interested in contributing to this effort. On behalf of our entire family--we thank you for your support. We do not know where this path leads, but we know that it has been worth the trip.
Harvie Roe (Bill's brother)