A first-year student for the 2008-2009 academic year will be chosen for the first full-tuition Werner scholarship. Former Guilford alumni Frank Erwin Werner ’34 and Ava Roberts Werner ’33, both recently deceased, left their $2.2 million estate as a gift to be used for Guilford students’ scholarship. Ava Werner died in 2003 and Frank Werner in 2007.

“Frank wanted to make a difference in the lives of students,” President Kent Chabotar said.

In December 2001, the Werners established The Frank Erwin and Ava Roberts Werner Endowed Scholarships Funds.

The need-based scholarship will cover full tuition. The award is renewable for four years as long as the student maintains a 3.2 grade-point average.

“The scholarship is aimed at the best and brightest applicants who can benefit the most from an education at Guilford,” Chabotar said.

There will be one first-year student selected to receive the scholarship in fall 2008. Then a total of four students will be chosen within four years: one first-year, one sophomore, one junior and one senior.

The Werner scholarship is for students majoring in business, with the intent to enter an economic career in management or accounting; educational studies with the intent to have a career in teaching or educational administration; or foreign language in French, German, Japanese or Spanish. There will be additional preference given to students from Judeo-Christian traditions.

“I hope the individuals are full of passion and capability,” said Randy Doss, vice president for enrollment and campus life. “To have the top rate scholars is vital for the college and the classroom experience.”

“The scholarship will make the college more competitive and will raise the profile of the college,” said Mike Poston, vice president for advancement.

In 1937, the Werners met during college and were wed by college President Clyde Milner at New Garden Friends Meeting.

Frank Werner graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics. At Guilford, he participated in the choir, the dramatic council, the fine arts club, the French club, The Guilfordian, the Henry Clay Debating Society and the men’s tennis team.

Lee Taylor, director of planned giving, said that scholarships made it possible for Werner to attend college.

“Frank would not have been able to go to college without the scholarships,” Taylor said. “He wanted others to have the same experience. He felt so strong about this.”

After graduating, Werner served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He then worked for 34 years in the U.S. Postal Service. He was also a licensed Coast Guard captain and operated a charter boat.

Ava Werner graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. She was active in the student government and the choir. She worked for 17 years at Blue Bell Inc. as a credit analyst.

The Werners spent their later years living in Myrtle Beach and Little River, SC.