A newly established planned gift from Dr. John and Kacey Gay will create an endowment in support of the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. The Dr. John and Kacey Gay Endowment will support future research and teaching initiatives in the college.
The college will recognize the Gays’ gift in naming the CPASS Research Wall in the couple’s honor. Their gift amount, estimated to be in excess of $2 million, would become the second largest gift currently received by the college.
When established, the endowment will focus on faculty development activities and research that advance teaching, research and service through presentations at nationally or internationally recognized meetings.Additionally, the gift will provide technology enhancements and support for student research.
“This endowment that Kacey and I created recognizes the extra opportunities that I experienced during my doctoral studies at WVU. The educational groundwork that I gained while at the University went beyond my expectations and enhanced my professional preparation,” Gay explained.
Gay graduated from WVU in 1974 with his doctorate in Health Sciences and Education.
As a doctoral student, Gay credits mentors in helping him refine his classroom teaching and research strategies. Numerous faculty acted as role models, primarily mentor Dr. “Dutch” Holter. “
Dr. Holter was instrumental in guiding me to the person I grew to be in academics,” said Gay. Other faculty, including former CPASS (then the School of Physical Education) Dean Bill Douglas, also served as role models, often opening up their homes to students.
Gay credits these interpersonal relationships in enabling him to achieve full professorship and to be appointed dean in less than 13 years upon leaving WVU. “I was fortunate to have had overseas assignments that further rounded my publication portfolio,” explained Gay, who points to his Naval Officer training as having had an added major emphasis in his life’s foundation.
Gay says the opportunities that afforded him extra research experience carried over to publishing his dissertation as a book and authoring many other books and articles throughout his career in higher education.
“Most of all, my academic style and character were formed at WVU,” Gay said. “For that, I am grateful.”
“Dr. Gay and Kacey’s future gift will offer excellent opportunities for faculty wanting to further their contributions through research while helping our most promising students explore the world of research. As we expand our programs and learning experiences for students on their way to launching meaningful careers, donor support becomes increasingly important to the college,” said Dana D. Brooks dean and professor of Physical Education.
The WVU Foundation, in partnership with the University, is currently conducting A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The goal of the largest fundraising effort in the history of the University is to raise $1 billion by December 2017.
For further information on the comprehensive campaign, please visit www.astateofminds.com.