civic well-being of Greensburg by partnering with community institutions, including the public library, to provide scholarships and enrichment opportunities to girls and young women. The scholarship mission resonated with Dorothy Ruoff, a local teacher, school principal and devoted member of the College Club. Ruoff, who died in July 2015, left a bequest of $343,300 to the Greensburg College Club. The Club then used the bequest to permanently endow a scholarship fund at The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. “We were shocked that she’d named us in her will,” Constantine says. Proceeds from the endowed fund, which are supplemented by those the club raises through special events, ensure that scholarships will be awarded in perpetuity. If there is a point at which the Club members no longer wish to remain involved, CFWC will continue to manage the scholarship program. It’s a win–win for philanthropy and higher education. “Any woman in Greensburg who was involved in the community was a member of the College Club,” says Phil Koch, executive director of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. “That’s significant when you consider the gender divide — how much women were lim- ited back then in terms of education and careers. In many ways, the club enabled Greensburg-area women to step into civic leadership roles without being challenged by men.” Koch says the club has continued to offer women leadership opportunities on projects beyond the scholarship awards program. Members have continued to focus on post–high school educational opportunities by underwrit- ing community classes and discussion groups. The goal is to grow a community of learners who enhance the cultural life of Greensburg. “We’ve had drama clubs and teas for senior girls,” Constantine says. “We’ve given dance lessons to teenagers. We had, at one time, a singing group that did concerts at churches and civic centers.” Through these events, the club supported the community’s civic and cultural development, offering artistic opportunities and using event proceeds to fund the scholarships that have been its hallmark for more than a century. “This fund does great honor to the values and traditions of the original 31 Club members,” says Koch. “They were visionaries who, in a time when few women were able to pursue higher edu- cation or formal government positions, refused to be left out of the conversation.” Today’s Club members are college graduates, civic leaders, educators, businesswomen, histo- rians, storytellers, friends, neighbors and sisters, all eager to support the next generation. “The applicants for scholarship awards from this fund must demonstrate community leadership and community service,” Koch says. “This sends a message that civic engagement is important — that it is a life-long value. I am confident that 30, 40, even 50 years from now, we’ll still be giving out the Dorothy Ruoff Scholarship of the Greensburg College Club.” By Maddy Rice | communications intern W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 9 Past presidents Carol Constantine (left) and Paula Daily met in January to plan the Club’s year of centennial celebrations. [The original 31 Greensburg College Club members] were visionaries who, in a time when few women were able to pursue higher education or formal government positions, refused to be left out of the conversation. PHIL KOCH The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County