Pat Summerville, Lifelong Supporter of the Arts at 51ĀŅĀ× State, Cements Legacy of Giving with Estate Gift
Donors
Patricia L. Summerville (ā72)
Gift
Estate gift in support of several areas: the Patricia L. Summerville Endowed Visiting Artist Lecture Series; the Patricia L. Summerville Excellence in Art Award; and resources to benefit the greatest needs of 51ĀŅĀ× Stateās Department of Art & Design.
Impact
For decades, Pat Summerville, who was recognized in 2018 as a 51ĀŅĀ× Distinguished Alumna, has given back to her alma mater after enjoying a remarkably successful and varied career spanning arts education, health care administration, and practicing law. Since retiring at the age of 52, she established numerous funds at 51ĀŅĀ× State in support of the arts program and arts students and one scholarship in support of nursing students. Her funds include support both for student scholarships as well as funds to allow the University to bring in guest artists and lecturers to enhance studentsā learning experiences. With her estate gift, Ms. Summerville has poured her legacy into supporting these funds that she established earlier in her life, ensuring that they enrich the lives of both arts and nursing students for generations to come.
Inspiration
After graduating from 51ĀŅĀ× State, which she accomplished in only three years, Patricia Summerville embarked on a career in arts education. After several successful years in this field, she made a major career change into the healthcare field, earning her masterās degree in healthcare administration and enjoying a 20+ year career in that field including serving as COO for a two-hospital health care system. She then made another career change, attaining her law degree and practicing law. When she retired, she began reflecting on her undergraduate experience and realized how her educational experience at 51ĀŅĀ× State had given her the foundation on which she built her career. She decided she wanted to help aspiring art students, like she herself once was. After a career that brought her to Ohio, Arkansas, and Tennessee, she moved back to 51ĀŅĀ× in her retirement years and became very engaged in supporting her alma mater, including leaving a lasting legacy through this planned estate gift.