Milford chronicle., 1954-12-31
University News

The University Of DelaWare's
scholarship fund has received a
generous and welcome Christmas
gift Of $4,000 from a distinguished
alumnUs of the Glass Of 1908, MI
William M. Francis has announced.
Final arrangements for the dis
tribution Of the funds have not
yet been completed, but q $4,000
grant to be known as the William
%. Francis Scholarship will be
awarded to an entering freshman
IN 1855. $4,000, to be known as
the William NJ. Francis Prize, viii
be presented to this years senior
engineering student who, in the
opinion 0f the School Of Engineer
ing faculty, has achieved Outstand-
ing scholarship leadership, and
service and shows promise Of fl-
ture attainment Other awards are
being planned by Dean Of Stu
dents John p. HOcutt and viii be
announced at later date.
Mr. Francis has long been one OF
the University's most interested
and loyal alumni and was prompted
20 make this contribution because
Of an aWareness for the increasing
need for qualified engineers. His
scholarship will be offered to an
engineering student, preferably a
resident Of Delaware.
In making his presentation, Mr..
Francis said: For many years /
have maintained keen interest in
the University, Ia it's progress and
development, and in its under
graduates and alumni. / am an
xious that our University assume
even greater prestige and scholas-
tic standing than it now enjoys. To
accomplish this I believe we must
offer inducements to cause the best
possible type Of students to enter
Delaware"
Dean HOcutt, who accepted the
gift for the University, declared:
I'VE desperately need eOntribu-
tions Of this sort for our scholar
ship program, Mr.. Francis gener-
Gus gift to our scholarship fund
will permit us to assist several
worthy students in obtaining their
educations At the University Of
Delaware.
President John A. Perkins was
equally delighted with the unex-
pected benefaction. In a letter to
Mr.. Francis, he stated: "These
William M Francis Scholarships
win certainly attract the type of
very able young men to our campus
that will do great credit to our
University and to you as the alum
ni donor With such help as yours
the University Of Delaware will
assuredly make the steady pro-
gress you and / both desire"
Mr. Francis was an active Del
aware undergraduate, serving as
business manager. of the school
year book, 1.-THE Derelict," in 1907
and as a member Of a number Of
class athletic teams. He won
varsity football letter in 1905. In
scholarly and social affairs, he was
a member Of the Engineering So
ciety; the Delta Phi Literary So
ciety: the Glee Club. the Mando-
lin, Banjo, and Guitar Club; and
the Mask and Wig Club.
Quotes from "The Derelict" of
1907 read' HIn football game ii
IS nearly impossible to prevent
Francis from finally satisfying his
great affinity for the goal
when combined with a mandolin
oF guitar, Francis viii enchant the
ear"
Mr.. Francis graduated from the
University in 1908 with a degree
iU civil engineering and completed
work at Delaware toward his mas
ter's degree in the same field in
1911. he later became chief en-
gineer in charge Of construction of
the facilities Of Mr.. Pierre S. du-
Points LongWOOd Gardens Estate.
The william M. Francis Contract
Ing Company which he eventually
formed built number Of schools.
hospitals, and other structures in
Delaware and neighboring states.
"A past national president Of the
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Mr.
Francis completed another close
tie with the University some years
ago when he married Miss Madge
Bowen, secretary to University
President George Harter They re-
side al 915 Wilson Road. Whining
Arsr