Former SAU Neighbors' Appreciation of St. Ambrose Students Results in $1.38 Million Gift That Will Fund Generations of 'Dale and Lavonne 'Bonnie' McFarlin Scholars
A friendly, outgoing and energetic woman who loved life and learning, Bonnie McFarlin made new friends wherever she went. The St. Ambrose students she met many years ago made such a great impression on her, it resulted in the single largest scholarship gift in the university's history.
Known to her friends as "Bonnie," Lavonne Grace McFarlin farmed for years with her husband Dale in western Iowa before moving to Davenport in the 1970s. Bonnie was working at Mercy Hospital (now Genesis Health System) when the couple purchased a six-plex near Vander Veer Park, a few blocks from St. Ambrose.
They often walked around the park and St. Ambrose campus and were impressed by the friendliness of the students, faculty, and staff members they encountered. Bonnie and her husband did not have children so they enjoyed getting to know the students and hearing about their education.
Thus began Bonnie's 44-year relationship with the university.
As health issues arose for Dale, the McFarlins began exploring options for their estate. The couple strongly believed the ability to achieve a college education was important to every child's future. They evaluated three Iowa institutions and found that St. Ambrose best embodied the drive, educational spirit, and mission that reflected their ideals.
Thinking of their legacy and impact, they created the Dale and Lavonne "Bonnie" McFarlin Endowed Scholarship Fund through what would become a $1.38 million estate gift.
Following Dale's death in 1999, Bonnie moved to Georgetown, Texas and started a new chapter in life. A curious, intrepid explorer much like the SAU students she once befriended, she joined travel groups and took trips to Europe, Africa, Mexico, South America, Asia and Australia. She shared stories of watching wild animal migrations on the Serengeti plains and adventures in Tibet, the land of the Dalai Lama. She created treasured scrapbooks of her unforgettable journeys.
Sister Joan Lescinski, CSJ, PhD, president of St. Ambrose, visited and befriended Bonnie.
"Bonnie's love of travel was something we had in common," Sr. Joan said. "Whenever she traveled, she'd send me a postcard, as I did to her when I was abroad. She was so curious about others and loved exploring other cultures and people and our visits meant a great deal to me."
Bonnie's connection with the university grew as she made friendships and personal relationships with university staff. Even though Bonnie lived in a remote town on the Rio Grande River, it did not deter visits from her St. Ambrose friends.
Associate Vice President for Advancement and Legacy Giving Sally Crino '01 MBA, talked with Bonnie monthly and visited her each year.
"Sometimes it was an update about the university, other times I would just call to see how she was doing and we'd talk about the birds she saw at the sanctuary down the road," said Crino. "It didn't matter how far away she was, she was always our neighbor. Even as her health was failing, she was such a warm and happy person who loved life and people."
Ryan Brant '02 MCJ, one of the advancement staff who also visited Bonnie, said McFarlin used the word "we" when she talked about St. Ambrose.
"She'd ask, ‘How are we doing?' and ‘When are we going to build a new fitness center?,'" he recalled. "Those initial connections with Bonnie made her feel a part of the Ambrose community. She was very proud of the success and growth of St. Ambrose. When we told her SAU was purchasing the St. Vincent's property for creation of an athletics complex, she was almost giddy."
Bonnie McFarlin passed away in her sleep in October 2018. She was 92 years old. In the months that followed, her estate was settled, and the total bequest to St. Ambrose was $1,382,866.
Crino felt a personal responsibility to Bonnie. "I owed it to Bonnie to maintain her legacy and create a meaningful scholarship program that represented her love of St. Ambrose and the impact that education can have on lives," she said.
Crino worked with Vice President for Enrollment Management James Loftus, PhD, and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Sandra Cassady, PT, PhD, to develop the McFarlin Scholars Program. It is designed to provide significant, meaningful scholarships to select recipients.
Working with college deans and advisory councils, the McFarlin Scholarship Program will focus on leadership development and preparing students to be active citizens in their professions and communities after graduation.
"The McFarlin Scholarship will be an impressive recruiting tool to attract active and determined students who view a college education as a tool for achieving more than individual success," Loftus said, noting the program will include mentoring and opportunities to grow throughout a recipient's full academic career. "These students won't have to come to us as academic superstars, but if they bring an eagerness to grow and succeed, we are confident the program we are creating will honor the McFarlins' wishes in very impactful ways."
Sister Joan added this endowed scholarship program honors both the friend she made and, more importantly, the caring and kind young friends the McFarlins made walking on and near campus those many years ago.
"The students who Bonnie and Dale met years ago impressed them in a meaningful manner," she said. "Now, the McFarlin Scholars Program will carry forth the McFarlins' legacy."
Share This Story
