Alumnus with local ties receives statewide award for philanthropy
At the quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents, held last week at Austin Peay State University, an east Tennessee physician, former Clarksville resident and APSU alumnus was honored for his longtime financial support.TBR Chancellor Dr. Charles Manning presented the 2006 Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Dr. David Philip Roe, a Johnson City obstetrician/gynecologist and a 1967 graduate of APSU. Roe, whose father is deceased, is the son of Rose Roe, Clarksville.
At the quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents, held last week at Austin Peay State University, an east Tennessee physician, former Clarksville resident and APSU alumnus was honored for his longtime financial support.
TBR Chancellor Dr. Charles Manning presented the 2006 Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Dr. David Philip Roe, a Johnson City obstetrician/gynecologist and a 1967 graduate of APSU. Roe, whose father is deceased, is the son of Rose Roe, Clarksville.
In Fall 2005, four benefactors statewide were chosen from a pool of nominees to receive the award, according to Manning. From those four, Roe was chosen. The selection is based on generous financial support to and promotion of TBR institutions and state higher education as well as exceptional civic responsibility and integrity.
In her comments, APSU President Dr. Sherry Hoppe noted a few examples of Roe's support of Austin Peay. Besides remembering his alma mater with a significant gift in his estate plan, Roe is the current vice president of the APSU Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of the capital campaign steering committee. He previously served the APSU National Alumni Association as president, vice president and past president.
Roe established a scholarship in honor of Dr. Durward Harris, professor emeritus of chemistry and former pre-med adviser. Several years ago, Roe's class, under his leadership, raised more than $55,000 for new science equipment. Later, because of his continuing generosity, a wing of APSU's new science complex was named for him.
An avid sports fan who often travels hundreds of miles to watch the Govs play, Roe takes as much pride in their academic achievements as in their athletic accomplishments. Thanks to a gift from Roe and his wife, Pam, there's a brand new, state-of-the-art athletic academic center in the Dunn Center, complete with a computer lab and several study areas.
Hoppe said, 鈥淪everal years ago when Phil was featured in the alumni magazine, he said, 鈥業 believe the future of our country relates directly to how we educate our young people. Education is what will open the doors for them.'
鈥淭his award acknowledges that, through his support of education, Dr. Phil Roe has held that door wide open for hundreds of students who came after him.鈥 -- Dennie B. Burke