Office of Public Affairs
(315) 312-2265
Nov. 12, 2003
DEXTERS BEQUEATH MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
OSWEGO -- An Oswego native and alumnus who spent
nearly four decades teaching in Maryland has made plans to return some
help to the place that gave him his start in life.
Edward B. Dexter, a 1935 graduate of Oswego State, and his
wife, Lillian F. Dexter, have included Oswego in their will. The
couple's bequest will endow the Edward B. Dexter Class of 1935 and
Lillian F. Dexter Scholarship, which will be granted to a SUNY Oswego
student majoring in technology education.
Oswego was his first thought for charitable giving,
"for all of the good things that Oswego did for me," Edward Dexter
said. He said he wants to help students on their way to a degree. "It's
really money well spent."
Edward Dexter was born and bred in Oswego and
graduated from Oswego High School in 1932 before attending college in
his hometown. He earned his teaching diploma in 1935 from Oswego State
Teachers College and later received his bachelor's degree from Oswego.
He earned his master's degree in education from the University of
Maryland in 1949, after he served in World War II, retiring with the
rank of captain.
After many years as vice principal in Maryland's
Glen Burnie High School, in charge of the vocational program, he served
for two years as principal of what is now called the Center for Applied
Technology North in Anne Arundel County. The media center there is
named in his honor.
Later, as a member of the district's central office,
he helped to equip the Center for Applied Technology South. He retired
as coordinator of trade and industrial education of Anne Arundel County
in 1981.
"It is said that 'a teacher touches eternity.' In
his career Ed Dexter certainly did," SUNY Oswego President Deborah F.
Stanley said. "Now, through his gift, he will be leaving a legacy that
will make a difference in the lives of Oswego students for years to
come."
While at Oswego, Ed Dexter was active in the Sheldon
Forum, the Camera Club, Rifle Club, Phi Delta Kappa and Iota Lambda
Sigma. He worked on Sheldon Hall, painting the gym floor and doing
other jobs as part of a WPA project there in the '30s.
He reminisced about the quality of teaching at his
alma mater. "We had really wonderful instructors when I was there," he
said. "They were dedicated to their jobs and they realized what we were
going to face when we went out into the classroom."
The Dexters' gift earns them charter membership in
the Sheldon Legacy Society. For more information about making a bequest
or other planned giving to Oswego, call the Office of University
Development at 312-3003.
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