杏吧原创

DONOR STORY

Richard and Sharon LeDuc

We鈥檙e proud to see so many 杏吧原创alumni share a lifelong bond and a deep connection to their alma mater. But when that genuine love is shared by equally EIU-enthusiastic spouses, the magic and magnetism is all the more special.

Sharon and Richard LeDuc have shared their connection with EIU鈥攁nd with each other鈥攆or more than 50 years. Both EIU students in the mid 鈥�60s, their affinity for the University鈥攍ike their relationship鈥攈as only blossomed with time.

Richard (鈥�64) and Sharon (鈥�65) both earned degrees from Eastern. Like so many others, their time at EIU prepared them for a life ripe with of opportunity, rewarded by success, and resonant with compassion.

鈥淲e loved our time at Eastern,鈥� Sharon shared. 鈥淏asketball games were huge when we were there,鈥� she said. At the time, women鈥檚 sports were limited to non-competitive travel teams, which Sharon participated in. Still, her passion for sport also led her to become student leader of a synchronized swimming team.

鈥淥f course, concerts and other campus events were extremely exciting, too. At that time, EIU only had about 4,000 students, and the smaller campus made everything extremely accessible.鈥�

Following their time at EIU, the duo took up residence in Missouri, where they attended the state鈥檚 flagship university. Sharon, who had earned her EIU degree in math/math education with a double minor in physics and chemistry, ultimately earned a Ph.D. in statistics from the University of Missouri, where she also later served as a research associate. Her research focused on climate impacts on crop production and agricultural health. Eventually her team was able to start a federal research center which was part of NOAA, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Later, she joined the Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, working for the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2001, Sharon, who also taught as an adjunct at various universities in North Carolina, joined the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in Asheville as its deputy director. At NCDC, the world鈥檚 largest repository of atmospheric data, she managed the operations, worked with world class scientists in developing climate assessments, and implemented the latest techniques for storing, retrieving, and securing all types of meteorological data. After a long and fulfilling career, she retired in 2011.

Today, Sharon and husband Richard have leveraged their success into creating opportunities for others. Their generosity has paved the way for other young learners who, without assistance, may never have had a chance to experience the same joy and excitement the LeDucs felt as students on EIU鈥檚 inviting campus.

Sharon, herself a 1962 recipient of the Livingston C. Lord Scholarship鈥攖he highest honor bestowed upon undergraduates at Eastern鈥攌nows the importance of financial support. Her father started at EIU but lacked the finances to finish.

鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 have made it through without financial help along the way,鈥� Sharon said. 鈥淲e were fortunate to receive scholarships, and we know that today a quality education isn鈥檛 always affordable. We want the next generation to have the opportunity and ability to contribute to society at the highest level possible. Education is absolutely essential!鈥�

The LeDucs, whose successes allowed them to save money for sending their own three sons to college, knew full-well that not everyone shared their fortunate position. That鈥檚 why they decided to make a commitment to鈥攁s Sharon described鈥斺�済ive a leg up to the people who really need it the most.鈥�

When asked what they would share with other donors about the importance of leaving a legacy and giving back, they offer some profoundly pragmatic advice:

鈥淲e鈥檝e never been exceptionally wealthy, but even small or infrequent gifts add up over time and can be very substantial for those starting with nothing.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 not the amount, it鈥檚 the fact that you鈥檙e giving that makes the biggest difference,鈥� Sharon revealed. 鈥淚t may seem clich茅, but giving allows us all to become better people, including those we鈥檙e committed to helping. For us, giving is in our hearts, and gives us a feeling of being part of the greater good. We want others to experience that feeling, and to be able to enjoy it like we have.鈥�