(November 18, 2015)

New Centenary endowed fund honors Virginia and Peyton Shehee

Charles Ellis Brown signs the agreement for the new Virginia K. Shehee'43'02H and William Peyton Shehee'40 Baseball Program Endowed Capital Fund while Dr. David Rowe and Margaret Shehee Cole '85 look on.

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary Life Trustee Dr. Charles Ellis Brown '48'04H and President David Rowe officially signed the document putting in place the Virginia K. Shehee'43'02H and William Peyton Shehee'40 Baseball Program Endowed Capital Fund on Thursday, October 29. President Rowe proclaimed the event a Centenary "Forever Memory," a term coined by soccer coach Glenn Evans.

"To have such a wonderful Centenary family—the Shehee family, and particularly Virginia—memorialized by an endowment that will care for the sport, and students, that Virginia and Peyton loved is powerful enough. But to know that tribute, that investment, is coming from another great Centenary family—the Brown family—is particularly poignant."

Virginia Shehee was elected to Centenary's Board of Trustees in 1972 and awarded Life Member Trustee status in 2005. She was inducted into the Centenary Alumni Hall of Fame in 1973 and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the College in 2002. In 2012, she became the inaugural recipient of Centenary's George D. Nelson, Sr. Lifetime Service Award. Peyton Shehee received the Alumni Loyalty Award in 1997.

In addition to being Centenary graduates and longtime benefactors of the College, Virginia and Peyton held a particular passion for Gents baseball, which is played in Shehee Stadium. When Charles Ellis Brown, Sr. approached daughter Margaret '85 about establishing a fund honoring her parents that would support Centenary baseball in perpetuity, she declared it a wonderful way to celebrate her parents. She expressed her gratitude to Brown and his family at the signing.

"Today is quite an occasion. I just don't have enough words to express the gratitude, the appreciation, and just the love we have for you. It is a privilege to be here as you make this gift. I know they would both be so proud of being remembered in this way."

Upon signing the endowment agreement, Dr. Brown acknowledged his admiration for Virginia and Peyton Shehee and reminded those in attendance, "This fund is open ended. Anyone can add to it."

The Virginia K. Shehee'43 and William Peyton Shehee '40 Baseball Program Endowed Capital Fund will provide support for equipment purchases and facilities upkeep and improvements benefiting the baseball program at Centenary College.

Gifts to the Shehee Baseball Program Endowed Capital Fund should be directed to Centenary's Advancement Division at 2911 Centenary Boulevard, Shreveport, LA 71104. Please contact Stewardship Officer Meredith Armuth at marmuth@centenary.edu or 318-869-5025 for more information.