In honor of their daughter Margaret "Meg" Rampton Munk, former Gov. Calvin L. Rampton and first lady Lucybeth Rampton have established an endowment to provide stipends to interns who serve in the governor's office.
Munk died eight years ago of cancer. A poet and professor, she taught political science at universities in Tokyo and Quezon City, Philippines.She was a 1964 political science graduate of the University of Utah and later earned a doctorate in political science at Harvard University. While at the U., Munk was editor of U.'s The Daily Chronicle and was valedictorian of her class.
The Ramptons' $26,000 gift will provide funds to assist one U. student per quarter who works in the governor's office. Three students are expected to participate each year.
J.D. Williams, retired U. political science professor and former director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, said the gift brings a "lovely conclusion to the circle of history."
The Rampton administration was the first to permit university interns to serve in the governor's office. Elected in 1964, Rampton is the state's only three-term governor.
"I know it's a good training ground and I also know the interns will be an asset," Rampton said during a press briefing Wednesday in Gov. Mike Leavitt's office.
Williams, who taught the Rampton's daughter at the U., described her as "one of the top students I ever taught. She made teaching totally worthwhile. Not only was she terrific at political studies, but I remember her as a fine poet and classicist."