A West Virginia University alumni couple, Russell&Ruth Bolton, have made a commitment to the WVU Foundation that will establish WVU s first University Professorship.

University professorships are endowed faculty positions intended for scholars distinguished by their ability to transcend disciplines and whose interests and activities enrich the academic community on a university-wide basis,said WVU Provost Gerald Lang.”The Bolton WVU Professorship will encourage interdisciplinary intellectual growth at the university. It is very gratifying to know that West Virginia University has loyal alumni such as the Boltons who recognize the importance of private support to the future of the University.

Donors of the other 40 professorships at WVU have designated them to be held by faculty in specific colleges, schools and departments, officials say.

Russell Bolton earned a JD in 1949, while Ruth received a BA in speech in 1943. A native of Morgantown, he is the retired general counsel of Dart Industries, Inc. and associate general counsel with Dart&Kraft, Inc. She hails from Clarksburg, and was the secretary to WVU s 13 th President, Dr. Irvin Stewart.

“Over the years weve contributed to the University and when we were approached about the idea of making a gift to establish the first University Professorship, we were very pleased with the idea, pleased to be asked and pleased to be able to help,said the Boltons.We both received excellent educations at West Virginia University and know how important education is to our society.

The couples gift is currently yielding lifetime income to them and has provided tax benefits as well. At their deaths, the remaining funds will create an endowment which will provide annual income for the professorship.

The Boltons are charter members of the Woodburn Circle Society, the Foundations premier giving society, and the Irvin Stewart Society. They also are members of WVU s Alumni Association and Emeritus Club.

The couple resides in Palm Desert, Calif., and has a summer home in Kingwood The Boltons have two grown children, Russell Thomas and Jane Ellen.