Donald Whitaker ’62 and His Wife Sue Endow Their Scholarship with a Bequest

Don and Sue Whitaker

After a lifetime as educators, Dr. Donald R. Whitaker, ’62, and his wife, Dr. Sue H. Whitaker, are giving back with scholarships established at several universities, including one at Eastern Kentucky University that they will further endow with a bequest in their wills.

The Whitakers established the EKU scholarship in 2009, naming it to honor Donald’s parents: the Raymond Benjamin and Ruth Levi Whitaker Endowed Scholarship Fund in Mathematics Education. It currently funds a scholarship to one student each semester.

“Since we have no children, we envisioned this scholarship as a way to endow, in perpetuity, the love and support that my parents gave to me,” says Donald. “My parents served ably as my first teachers, taught most effectively by example, and often made personal sacrifices so that my educational goals could be accomplished.”

Donald earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at EKU in 1962, while Sue graduated from the University of Kentucky two years later. Donald went on to get a master’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They both eventually earned Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Both taught for more than three decades at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, before retiring in 2010; Donald retired as the executive director of institutional effectiveness after heading the math department for many years, while Sue was chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

“When we went to Ball State, we truly thought we’d only be there three or four years and then move on,” Sue says. “But we loved Ball State and the Muncie community, so we ended up staying there for 34 years.”

The Whitakers have been married for more than 50 years. They first met at a University of Kentucky basketball game, but their romance blossomed while they were both teaching at Harrison County High School in Cynthiana, Kentucky — with their classrooms across the hall from each other.

“During the time between classes, we were required to stand in the hallways as students passed through,” said Sue. “We would chit-chat with each other, which led to dating, falling in love and then three years later getting married.”

The Whitakers live in Muncie but also have a home in Lexington in order to be closer to family and friends in Kentucky. The couple did not have children, saying that their students have served in that role.

“It has certainly been a passion, working with students over the years and staying in contact with them,” Sue says. “That’s one of the reasons we’ve set up scholarships ...”

Donald has stayed very connected to EKU, currently serving on the foundation board and previously serving as a member of the International Alumni Association.

“Don is an invaluable resource through his service on various EKU boards and committees, further demonstrating his commitment to our students and their success,” says Melissa Grinstead, EKU’s associate vice president of development & campaign manager. “We are so fortunate to have his years of experience and insight to strengthen our board.”

Sue has also stayed connected to her alma mater, the University of Kentucky, as alumni association president. She has also received several awards from the university.

“The Whitakers have always invested in education as they spent their careers as educators, and now they continue that legacy with their resources and time,” Grinstead says. “Don and Sue’s lifetime commitment to teaching will continue on for generations through the students who benefit from their scholarship.”

The Whitakers hope that others will also make gifts to support students.

“Unfortunately, many of today’s students are graduating with large amounts of debt,” says Sue. “My parents, although not wealthy, were able to put my brother and me through college. We worked to help; and with a few small scholarships, we were able to graduate without debt. Don and I know the scholarships we provide don’t relieve all the debt students have, but they can help.

“I hope that as time and finances allow, those who receive our help will also give back by setting up scholarships or making contributions to established scholarships at their alma maters.”