Daughter Honors Family’s Long Whitworth History with Legacy Gift

Pat Stien and Beth Stien Davis

When Beth Stien Davis first learned of the Pines to Promise scholarship initiative, she jumped at the opportunity to establish a scholarship to honor her mother's legacy as a theatre arts professor at Whitworth.

Pat Stien came to Whitworth with her husband Howard in 1965, when he arrived to chair the biology department. Pat began teaching the following year in her area of expertise, oral interpretation. She eventually became chair of the theatre arts department, influencing countless students over her 27 years of teaching.

"I grew up on the Whitworth campus, watching my parents live out their calling," Beth says. "They taught me by example how to leave a legacy: Do excellent work, give from the heart, and be passionate about one's discipline." She continues, "I took two Jan Term classes from my mom, so I got to experience firsthand her energy, enthusiasm, and sophisticated approach to the oral interpretation of literature. I am thrilled to provide a scholarship that honors her distinction as both a voice performer and an ambassador for her craft."

The Pines to Promise initiative was created by the Whitworth University Board of Trustees as part of the Campaign for Whitworth, setting aside funds to match 40 newly created endowed scholarships. Anyone who participates in the initiative and pledges the $25,000 minimum (payable over five years) to endow a scholarship will have his or her funds matched, up to $25,000.

The Pat Stien Theatre Arts Endowed Scholarship will be funded with current gifts from Beth and her husband Dyer as well as with the future gift of an insurance policy from Beth, who named Whitworth as the beneficiary.

"Future gifts are a key component of the Campaign for Whitworth. By giving both a gift now and a gift from my estate, I am able to participate in this unique initiative and to ensure growth in the scholarship in the future," she says.

If you would like information on the Pines to Promise scholarship initiative and how to fund it with a future gift, please contact Stacey Kamm Smith at 509.777.4388 or skammsmith@whitworth.edu. We would be happy to offer creative ways for you to leave your legacy at Whitworth.