Leischuck-Reaves Endowed Scholarship

A conversation with Dr. Gerald S. Leischuck
Why did you choose to create a scholarship at Auburn University?
My late wife, Emily Reaves Leischuck, and I have always been teachers at heart and believers that everyone should be encouraged to get as much formal education as possible. Knowing that attending college is increasingly costly, we wanted to provide funds to assist others gain the benefits of an undergraduate education. Over the years, Auburn University was exceedingly good to us, so we felt it important to say thank you by supporting a scholarship program in honor of our parents, who made it possible for us to obtain baccalaureate degrees: Claude and Emily Tyson Reaves and Steve and Nellie Leischuck.

What would you want recipients of this scholarship to know about you or the person(s) for whom it is named?
Neither Emily nor I earned undergraduate degrees here but we both did graduate studies at Auburn. We both enjoyed extended rewarding careers at Auburn University, where we came to realize just how special the institution has become. Our roots are elsewhere but Auburn University captured our hearts.

Tell us about your Auburn story, favorite tradition, a “War Eagle!” moment, or what Auburn has meant to you.
As an Auburn University employee from 1964 until retirement in 1997, I was privileged to work closely with six Auburn presidents. During that period I was helped, encouraged, and promoted by many outstanding Auburn people displaying and living the Auburn spirit—warmth, goodness, and friendliness.

What do you hope your recipients gain through receiving this scholarship?
I hope our recipients gain the assurance that Auburn men and women are a caring and supportive family, wherein each of us strives to do what we can to make the university a better place and to make it accessible to the young women and men who choose to study here. If the student has the will, then it behooves us to help them find ways to develop their skills and talents to the fullest.