Former Sam Houston State University Professor Dr. Paul Reed is making the life of one human resource major a little easier. Reed and his wife, Jan, donated $42,000 to SHSU to establish a scholarship for students majoring in the department Reed was instrumental in creating during his career at Sam. “It’s just my way of saying thanks to the university and giving something back,” Reed said. “I think it’s a fine school with great faculty, staff and students.” The scholarship provides $2000 per academic year to the recipient and is available for application this year. Dean Lewis, Dean of the College of Business Administration, said Reed’s monetary gift is an extension of the commitment he showed as a teacher.
“Dr. Reed served the university and the college very well and has always been generous with his time and resources,” Lewis said.
This is not the first time Reed and his wife made a donation to the university. In 1999, the couple established the Helen Cochran Gilliland Human Resource Endowment Fund, named for Reed’s mother-in-law. The scholarship provides $1500 per year to recipients and Reed has plans to increase that amount next year.
“If I’m still alive and kickin’ next year, I’ll put enough money in it to make it $2000,” Reed said.
The Reeds have given almost $100,000 to scholarship funds, the honors program, the Smith-Hudson Building addition and the volleyball team. Reed joined SHSU staff in 1983. He retired in 2006 and earned the prestige of professor emeritus. The size of both Huntsville and the university appealed to Reed when he started his SHSU career and has kept him in the area beyond his retirement. “Huntsville is a nice town. When I came here, [SHSU] had 8,000 students. It now has 16,000 but it still has that small university feel, which I think is great,” he said. Reed graduated in 1955 from Notre Dame before moving on to Northwestern State University-Louisiana for his Masters in Business Administration. Reed retired as a Lt. Colonel from the U.S Army before earning his doctorate from Mississippi State University in 1983 and joining the SHSU faculty. He has accumulated over 70 published cases and articles and is now enjoying his retirement.
“I’m retired – what can I say? I travel. I love to ride Amtrak around the country. In April, we’ll go see my son in Hawaii, but that’s about as adventurous as it gets,” Reed said. Reed and his wife are among many retired faculty and staff members that contribute to the university. About 75% of SHSU’s current faculty and staff provide contributions. According to Vice President of University Advancement Frank Holmes, “We have terrific support from our faculty and staff. We have been very fortunate over the years for a number of significant gifts from retired faculty. It speaks rather highly of their commitment to the university.
“Scholarships are awarded each spring semester. Students interested in scholarships should check with each academic department for applications and deadline dates. Some applications are available on SHSU’s Web site.