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TWU
receives $850,000 from Boenker estate for nutrition student
scholarships
6/02/08
DENTON –
More Texas Woman’s University students will receive
scholarships to help meet their educational goals thanks to
an $846,524 gift from the estate of Ima Jean Boenker of Fort
Worth, a TWU alumna. The gift will be used to establish the
Ima Jean Boenker Scholarship, which will provide up to $8,000
a year to students majoring in nutrition and food sciences.
“Ms. Boenker
had a notable career in the food sciences field and was a
longtime supporter of TWU through annual donations to the
TWU General Scholarship Fund,” TWU Chancellor Dr. Ann
Stuart said. “The university is grateful for her generous
estate planning, which will enable more of our outstanding
nutrition students to achieve academic and professional success.”
Ms. Boenker, 80,
who passed away on Dec. 29, 2006, received her bachelor’s
of science in institutional management from TWU in 1948 and
her master’s of science in food and nutrition from the
university in 1966. She had a long and varied career in food
service management, serving as the business manager of food
services for American Airlines, director of school food service
for the Fort Worth Independent School District and as a state
surveyor for Texas.
She was a member
of the American Dietetic Association for more than 50 years
and a past president of the Texas Dietetic Association.
According to longtime
friend and colleague Barbara Bice, Ms. Boenker was grateful
for the excellent education she received at TWU, which she
felt was vital in her professional success.
“Ima Jean
appreciated TWU and was very supportive of women’s growth,”
Mrs. Bice said. “She wanted to support young women who
would become professional women, and in particular those who
will become dietitians.”
Mrs. Bice said
that Ms. Boenker had been interested in women’s and
children’s issues all of her life. Ms. Boenker was active
in a number of women’s organizations, including Zonta
International, a global organization of executives and professionals
working together to advance the status of women worldwide
through service and advocacy. For several years Ms. Boenker
also organized an annual Christmas party for a group of girls
from Christ’s Haven for Children in Keller, which provides
on-campus housing or foster care for abused and neglected
children.
“I think
Ima Jean would be very pleased to know that these funds will
continue to grow and contribute to the education of deserving
students,” Mrs. Bice said.
For more information
on planned giving or to make a contribution to Ima Jean Boenker
Scholarship, call the TWU Office of Institutional Development
at 940-898-3878.
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Media Contact:
Amanda Simpson
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: asimpson1@twu.edu |
