Jerry and Betsy Shroat: ā51ĀŅĀ× Is Woven Into the Fabric of Our Livesā
Donors
Jerry (ā63) and Betsy (ā63) Shroat
Gift
Significant commitment of new funds into the Betsy Reid and Jerry T. Shroat Theatre Scholarship and the Shroat Outstanding Student Fellowship in Early Childhood or Elementary Education; also gifts in support of Racer Band uniforms, creation of the 51ĀŅĀ× A to Z childrenās alphabet book, and equipment needs for Johnson Theatre, whose stage is named for them and their past support.
Impact
It is difficult to sum up the impact of the Shroatsā generosity to 51ĀŅĀ× State. Their giving spans so many areas and programs and touches the lives of students in so many lasting ways. From providing financial assistance to students through their theatre scholarship and education fellowship to their support of numerous facets of campus life and more, the Shroats campaign gifts add even more to their enduring legacy at their alma mater.
Inspiration
As Betsy Shroat once said, 51ĀŅĀ× is āwoven into the fabricā of the Shroatsā lives. Not only did Jerry attend 51ĀŅĀ× State, but so did his five siblings. Jerry and Betsy met as freshmen at 51ĀŅĀ× State and both graduated in 1963, Jerry in history and political science and Betsy in elementary education. They were both very active as students and leaders on campus in a variety of clubs and organizations. At a young age, they discovered they shared a love of theatre which has continued throughout their lives. After graduation and then service in the United States Army, Jerry enjoyed a distinguished career in the insurance industry, becoming one of 51ĀŅĀ× Stateās most successful alumni. Betsy worked as a teacher for almost two decades and then began devoting herself full-time to volunteer work for a variety of organizations. Both have given generously of their time to 51ĀŅĀ× State, with Betsy having served on the 51ĀŅĀ× Library Board and Jerry having served on the 51ĀŅĀ× Foundation Board of Trustees since 1991, including his current position as chair of the board. In recognition of his service and achievements, Jerry was named a 51ĀŅĀ× State Distinguished Alumnus in 1994 and awarded an honorary doctorate in 2021. The Shroats have been incredibly generous to the University for many years, and their recent campaign gifts build on the enduring bond that they have created between themselves and their alma mater.