Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Estate Gift Benefits Students in Kinesiology and Community Health

Joanne McCarty Carraway (PEW ’51) and her husband Charles had many life experiences for which they were grateful. Yet, their college education and the impact it had on their lives was one they never forgot. To ensure that future generations of students have the same opportunities, Joanne and Charles included their respective alma maters in their estate plan. Thanks to their advance planning and charitable intent, students in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health will benefit for years to come.

The Joanne M. Carraway and Charles M. Carraway Scholarship Fund was established this past spring at the University of Illinois and a similar fund was created at Charles’ alma mater, Louisiana State University. As endowments, the principal remains intact and only the interest used so that the scholarships become permanent sources of student support at both institutions.

“With the rising cost of tuition, private support for our students is incredibly helpful,” said department head Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko. “We are tremendously grateful to the Carraways for this kind act of generosity.”

A graduate of Robinson (Illinois) High School, Joanne Carraway was actively involved in girls’ sports, which influenced her decision to pursue a degree in the physical education for women program. As a high-spirited University of Illinois student in the late 1940s and early ’50s, she lived in McKinley Hall and was a member of the Women’s Athletic Association. After graduation, Joanne was a teacher and coach at several schools, eventually returning to her home town of Robinson. There she met southern petroleum engineer Charles M. Carraway, who was in town on business. The two were married on August 22, 1954.

Joanne and Charles loved sports as well as animals and travel. At one time they owned and trained thoroughbred race horses. Charles retired from the Lewis Engineering Consulting Company and the couple moved to Evansville, Indiana. They were partners in a private consulting business there until returning to Robinson for their final years.

Joanne passed away in 2001 and Charles in 2004.

Members of the Carraway family were on campus in May to present a check to Dean Tanya Gallagher. “It is heartwarming to know that the Carraways placed such a high value on their college education that they wanted to be sure others had the same benefit,” said Dean Gallagher. “It will be an honor to award annual scholarships in the names of such generous individuals as Joanne and Charles Carraway.”