GHS Trust Gifts Include First to Recognize Parkes

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GHS Trust Gifts Include First to Recognize Parkes

GHS Trust Gifts Include First to Recognize Parkes

When members of the Glasgow High School class of 1938 established the GHS Educational Trust in 1964 to help graduates finance their higher education, they dreamed of a fund that would grow over generations into a truly significant factor in the lives of Glasgow students and the community. Their dream has become a reality, thanks to their hard work and the generous support of many faithful donors. The most recent example of this spirit was demonstrated by Jim Parke (Class of 1964) and his wife Shirley of Weston, Connecticut, who donated $200,000 to the trust last May in recognition of his parents, Arthur and Audrey Parke. The GHS Educational Trust is proud and grateful to add their names to its growing list of honorees.

Both Arthur and Audrey (Johnson) Parke families came to Valley County as homesteaders. They grew up in homes where faith, family, hard work, and education were the cornerstones. Upon their respective graduations from Glasgow High School, Arthur went to California to work in retail for a few years, and Audrey went to business school in Spokane, Washington. They met several years later in the Valley County Treasurer's office where they were both employed, and in 1944 they were married at First Lutheran Church. Arthur Parke joined the staff of First National Bank, now First Community Bank, in 1945 and was employed there until 1972, when he retired as assistant vice-president. He died of cancer in 1980.

Audrey Parke's career with the Valley Country Treasurer's Office was interrupted for twelve years while she was a full-time mother and homemaker. In 1967, she returned to the office as Auditor and Deputy Treasurer, and was later appointed Treasurer upon the sudden death of Margaret Wollin, the elected Treasurer. She served in that capacity until her retirement in 1985 and concurrently served as Treasurer for the City of Glasgow for 19 years. She continues to reside in Glasgow where she enjoys an active life with family and friends.

Arthur and Audrey Parke were both dedicated volunteers in their community and church and, while raising their two children, Jim and Ardis, supported every endeavor they pursued with enthusiasm and wise counsel. Following the examples set forth by their parents, both students excelled in academics and extra-curricular activities at GHS and at Concordia College, where Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, History, and Economics, and Ardis with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Shirley Parke also graduated from Concordia College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Syracuse University.

The Parke gift, like all donations to the GHS Educational Trust, has been invested. Interest earned on the trust assets, which now total over $2.4 million dollars, is awarded semi-annually to qualified applicants who have completed at least on year of college or one semester of vocational/technical school. All GHS graduates are eligible to apply if they are in good academic standing and demonstrating consistent progress toward the completion of their degrees. Financial need is the primary consideration. Application deadlines are June 15th and October 15th of each year. Awards made at the summer meeting are for both semesters of the upcoming school year while those made at the fall meeting are for the spring semester only. Students may reapply annually, and many have received multiple gifts. To date, the trust has awarded $879, 547 to hundreds of different students.

The trust also purchases equipment and programs for GHS, which cannot be financed within the school's regular budget. These gifts are intended to provide enrichment opportunities for every department of the school. The total value of these gifts is $100,964.

Whenever the trust receives memorials or honorariums that total $500 or more in the name of a particular individual, a gift to a student or a department of GHS is given in memory, honor, or recognition of that person. Gifts of $10,000 or more entitle the donor to an annual naming opportunity.

At a recent meeting, trustees awarded gifts to 43 GHS alumni registered at 17 different schools for the 2007-2008 term:

First Time RecipientsIn Memory/Honor/Recognition of

Meagan Bates, MSU-Billings IMO Eva Kalinski

Jacob Billman, U. of Idaho IMO Maxine Fiedler

Sean Daggett, Minot State Univ. IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison

Melissa Dale, Montana State Univ. IRO Herb & Lucille Friedl Family

Tyler Edwards, UM-Western IMO Willard Purkett

Denise Enebo, U. of Mary IMO Irene Ruyle Baker

Jacob Engstrom, MSU-B Coll. of Tech. IRO Russel & Arlene Heacox

Tyler Malnaa, Dawson Comm. Coll. IMO Glenn Peterson Family

Mary K. McIntyre, Carroll College IMO Ben Lewon

C. Brianne Saxbury, MSU-Billings IMO Dr. F. M. & Bernice Knierim

Tori Schedel, Miles Comm. Coll. IRO Tom & Flora Coghlan Family

Ashley Stewart, Montana Tech. IMO Harry Rybock

Annie Strommen, MSU-Billings IRO Arthur and Audrey Parke

Joshua Turner, U. of Hawaii IMO Cecil & Chloe Toftness

Second Time Recipients

Janet Chalmers, BYU – Idaho IRO Ione & Phyllis Kleppin

Levi Clampitt, U. of Regina IMO Richard B. Hovland

Jennifer Compton, MSU-Billings IRO Vern & Edna Richardson Family

Seth Combs, Dickinson State U. IRO Willlard & Charlotte Bruce Family

Erica Doornek, U. of Montana IMO Doris Maag

Karissa Hughes, Rocky Mt. Coll. IMO Mabel C. Hovland

Samantha Koski, Minot State U. IMO John Maag

Jesse McIntyre, Carroll College IMO Merlin L. Hovland

Taylor Moorman, Montana State Univ. IRO Paul & Joyce Ruffcorn Jacobson

Noel Olson, Minot State Univ. IMO LaVonne McFarland

Matthew Rogenes, U. of Montana IRO Stan Andersen Family

Sable Sampson, U. of Montana IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison

Jana Sather, Minot State Univ. IMO Stannebein Family

Kimberly Swanson, U. of Montana IHO Sever & Esther Enkerud

Sarah Thompson, U. of Mary IHO O. E. & Lois Markle

Todd Truscott, Rocky Mountain Coll. IRO Glenn & Carolee Grina Wallem

Tiffany Waters, U. of Mary IRO James & Eleanor Wedum Family

Third Time Recipients

Benjamin Daggett, Minot State Univ. IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison

Nathaniel Doornek, Minot State Univ. IMO Maxine Fiedler

Amanda Engstrom, Aakers College IMO Beatrice Trites and Family

Zachary Engstrom, MSU-Billings IRO Leroy & Bess Lockwood Family

Ryan George, U. of Montana IMO LaVonne McFarland

Jessica Jimison, MSU-Billings IMO Beatrice Trites & Family

Jenna Nelson, Minot State Univ. IMO F. M. & Bernice Knierim

Jillie See, Minot State Univ. IHO Sever & Esther Enkerud

Fourth Time Recipient

Haylie Shipp, MSU-Billings IRO Glenn & Carolee Grina Wallem

Fifth Time Recipients

Michael Combs, MSU-Billings IRO Glenn & Carolee Grina Wallem

Holly Taylor, Montana State Univ. IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison

Ryan Taylor, Montana State Univ. IRO John & Catherine Etchart Family

Recipients are always reminded that these gifts should encourage them to return the favor by donating to the trust when they are able to do so. All donations are tax-deductible, and no gift is too small. For more information about the trust or an application, please call Jeanine Markle (406) 228-2858; Danielle Anderson (406) 228-4203; Doris Leader (406) 746-3432; or Linda Allie (406) 228-8561.