Retired surgeon Franklin Wade43 has established a $2.14 million charitableremainder unitrust with the West Virginia University Foundation to fund scholarships for WVU medical students upon its termination.

Payments from a unitrust provide income to the donor or other beneficiaries for life, or for a term of years up to 20, leaving the remainder to benefit any college, school, or unit at WVU the donor chooses.

The gift’s charitableremainder will create the Franklin G. Wade and Joyce G. Wade Scholarship Fund and benefit talented students in the WVU School of Medicin e and pre-medical students in the Eberly College of Arts&Sciences.

Wade, who earned a B.S. from WVU in 1943, attributes his success in life to the affordability of his education.

“I wanted to repay the University,”Wade said.”I believe when someone does something nice for you, you owe some debt of gratitude. I show my gratitude best by creating the scholarships.”

Wade went on to graduate from the Temple University Medical School in 1944.

He survives his late wife, Joyce, who passed away in October 2001. In the same house since 1959, the long-time Williamsport, Pa residents raised their children Glen, Sydney and Jean.

Before his wife’s passing the Wades entered a contest to locate the oldest Frigidaire refrigerator in existence. Looking no farther than their own kitchen, the couple submitted their 1927 model and was awarded third prize-a new refrigerator. Humbly, the Wades declined the offer saying theirs worked just fine.

Being humble is not uncommon for Wade.

“If it hadn’t been for WVU , I wouldn’t be where I am today,”Wade explained.”I like to repay in some kind those who have helped me.”

The gift has been made in conjunction with the Building Greatness Campaign, a University-wide initiative being conducted by the WVU Foundation, which has received $275.2 million in private support. The WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of West Virginia University.