John D. Black Scholarship

You can make a gift to the Dr. John D. Black Scholarship Fund via our online contribution form.

To designate your gift, write in "Dr. John D. Black Memorial Scholarship" on the line provided by "Scholarship Fund" in the Gift Amount Information section found toward the top of the form.

You can also print and mail the contribution form if you prefer to pay by check.

The Dr. John D. Black Memorial Scholarship

The late John D. Black, who served as professor of zoology from 1948 through 1973, left a lasting legacy at Truman State University. Acting as the unofficial pre-medicine advisor while serving as sponsor of the Pre-osteopathic Club, he is credited as the first pre-osteopathic advisor in the country.

He is remembered by many as not only a good teacher but also a good friend and mentor. He lived a long and productive life, advising and recommending hundreds of students to attend medical institutions. He once said, "I felt I did more good counseling than I did teaching." Such was the caring shown by Dr. Black.

Although it has been more than three decades since his retirement from Truman State University, Dr. Black has not been forgotten. He is honored each year when a Truman student is awarded the Dr. John D. Black Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was established at Truman by friends and colleagues as a tribute to Black, who died in 1996.

As of June 30, 2009, the scholarship fund had a principal balance of just over $26,000, and the University has launched a fund drive with a goal of boosting the fund to the $100,000 endowment level. The fund drive is being led by Sharron (Bailey) Quisenberrry (’66) and Larry Quisenberry (’66, ’75) who have committed a $5,000 annual gift to the fund over the next five years for a total contribution of $25,000.

Sharron was one of Dr. Black's mentees, and she and her husband, Larry, became lifelong freinds with Dr. Black. "Dr. Black influenced the lives of innumerable Truman students over his 25-year tenure at the University," said Sharron. "The students he guided, encouraged, inspired and supported are reflected by the large number of students he mentored who became successful medical doctors, scientists and teachers."

"It is our goal to see this fund build to a $100,000 endowment level," said Sharron. "I encourage you to contribute to the scholarship fund and, thus, help us honor a man who made a tremendous difference on our lives, and on Truman and the building of a successful science program."

For more information contact:
Office of Advancement, McClain Hall 205, 100 E. Normal Ave., Kirksville, Mo. 63501-4221; Telephone: (800) 452-6678 or (660) 785-4133; Fax (660) 785-7519.