A lasting legacy for BHC East Campus
A Lasting Legacy
The Black Hawk College East Foundation received the
largest estate gift in the Foundation's 52-year history.
Donal J. "Bud" Ward of Walnut passed away in January 2019
and in his estate designated a gift of more than $240,000 to
the BHC East Foundation to benefit the Black Hawk College
East Campus.
The 95-year-old farmed in the Van Orin area early in life then was a grain and livestock farmer in the Deer Grove area for 60 years before retiring at the age of 88.
"The establishment of this gift is a true testament of his legacy and belief in lifelong learning" said his nieces, Deanna Hoge and Sharon Broers.
The donation will be used as follows:
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$50,000 – Livestock Judging Team Support Fund
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$100,000 – Donal Ward Livestock Judging Scholarship Fund. One student per semester will receive a $2,500 scholarship starting in 2021.
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$50,000 – Endowed scholarship fund for students transferring to Western Illinois University, majoring in agriculture and participating in WIU's livestock judging program. One student per year starting in 2023.
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With the remainder going to the Foundation General Fund as unrestricted contingency funds that can be used at the East Campus.
"The Livestock Judging Team Support Fund will be used to cultivate and continue the success of the teams here at Black Hawk College," said Dr. Blake Bloomberg, lead livestock judging coach. Sixty students are participating in the award-winning Livestock Judging Team this year. "We could not be more thankful to Donal Ward for his generous donation," he said.
Ward was a longtime supporter of Black Hawk College and contributed to the ag program in numerous ways. His farm served as a work experience site on multiple occasions. After his wife passed away in 2000, he established the Rosemary E. Ward Memorial Scholarship through the BHC East Foundation.
Donal Ward's generosity has truly changed the trajectory of Black Hawk College East Campus and his legacy will forever live on at this beloved campus.
Learn more about Planned Giving.
