The Dewars’ support of education is evident through the family’s history with Valdosta State University. They established the Mattie Hendry Dewar Scholarship and Loan Fund in the 1960s. The family created the Eva Carroll Herndon Scholarship Fund in 1978, then established an endowment in 1996 that provides additional VSU scholarships annually. Now, VSU President Ron Zaccari has announced that the College of Education will be named the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education. This honor is an acknowledgment of the Dewars’ latest act of generosity — a $2 million gift.

Obviously, the university would welcome this donation, the largest ever made to VSU, any time. However, the timing of the $2 million check couldn’t be better. Recent decreases in state funding for education have hurt the university. VSU needs to expand to accommodate its steady growth, but many building projects are on hold because money isn’t available.

The College of Education’s enrollment represents 34 percent of students at VSU. The $2 million gift will be used for fellowships and scholarships; to establish a center for math and science education; and for enhancement of partnerships with P-12 schools to collaboratively impact learning of students from preschool through college.

It is the belief of fiscal conservatives that private companies and individuals, not government, serve as the U.S. economy’s engine. Proponents of this economic philosophy may point to what is occurring with VSU as an example. Our state government’s leaders left the university in a lurch. Private individuals, acting from a sense of generosity and civic-mindedness, rode to the rescue and made it possible for the university to take a big leap forward.

VSU needs more friends like the Dewars. We encourage others to follow their example and to support our local institute of higher learning.