A $1 million cash gift, the largest in Utah Valley State College history, has been awarded to the institution, according to the UVSC Foundation Inc.
Bill J. and Margaret M. Pope presented the gift Tuesday. They are longtime supporters of the college. In return, UVSC will name the science building in their honor.Cory Duckworth, associate vice president for institutional advancement, said the gift was in company stock that was sold. He said the funds will be used as endowments, which will earn interest to operate a scholarship program and a Colorado Plateau program for years to come.
"This is a tremendous gift to the college," he said.
"They have an absolutely marvelous president who is doing great things with the college," said Margaret Pope. "(The college) is growing so fast."
Many students want to come to the Provo-Orem area, she said, but all cannot get into Brigham Young University, so UVSC gives them another choice.
"I wish I could help them more. We could have built a big, beautiful home, but I would rather give it to them," she said.
Bill Pope is chairman of the board of U.S. Synthetic Corp., based here. In 1966, Pope formed Megadiamond with H. Tracy Hall and M. Duane Horton. The company pioneered in the use of synthetic diamonds in industry, primarily the tips of oil well drills. Pope is former president of U.S. Synthetic, a post now held by his son, Louis. Louis Pope also serves on UVSC's Natural Resources Com-mit-tee.
The endowments will be used to establish a scholarship fund in the Popes' name and to help fund a field station at Capitol Reef National Park. The Plateau Field Institute Fund, which also bears the Popes' name, will be established to fund that project. UVSC's School of Science and Health organized the institute in cooperation with the National Parks Service. The field station will allow students to take field trips, intensive field courses of study and allow for student and faculty research.
The courses of study that the field station will benefit include the sciences, geology, biology, astronomy, archeology, environmental education, history, art and literature.