Oreon E. Scott
Oreon E. Scott (Nov 11, 1871 - Jan 10, 1956)
Originally submitted by Brad Johnson, Drake University, December 3, 2010
Drake Connections and Significant Accomplishments
Oreon E. Scott had a significant impact on Drake University. He not only donated more than $30,000 dollars to the university but he also a trustee for over 29 years [1]. He was also the only Life Member. There is also a chapel named after him, the Oreon E. Scott Chapel.]] The chapel is connected to Medbury Hall. Since 1949 the Oreon E. Scott Award is given to one senior each year. The Scott winner, selected based on the criteria of academics, leadership, involvement and service, speaks at the May commencement.
Oreon E. Scott, along with the help of his brother, founded the Oreon E. and R. G. Scott Real Estate and Insurance Firm in the 1890's. He was also admitted to the bar in St. Louis in 1894 and was a member of the American Bar Association as well as the Missouri State and the St. Louis Bar Association, too.
Community Involvement
Oreon E. Scott was involved in many churches throughout the United States. He was president of the board of trustees of the National City Christian Church in Washington D.C.. Mr. Scott was not only a long-time friend but also a supporter, counselor, and generous benefactor of the Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City. He was a chairman of the Christian Board of Publications in St. Louis. St. Louis is also where he looked over and reviewed plans for the Affton Church [2]. Also, he was a chairman of church extension on the Disciples of Christ Church in Indianapolis. He also served for many years as secretary, as well as a charter member of Union Avenue Christian Church [2]. In 1940 Mr. Scott was elected president of The Christian Board of Publications and chairman of its executive committee. Oreon and his brother, Raymond G. Scott, gave $6,000 and became the first "Life Patrons" of the United Christian Missionary Society. Mr. Scott also served on the executive committee of the National Benevolent Association. He was a stockholder in the Christian Publishing Company, an organization that publishes The Christian-Evangelist and other religious books and supplies.
Early Years and Education
Oreon E. Scott was born on Nov.11th, 1871, in McClellandtown, Pa. He was the oldest of nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Clark B. Scott [2]. He moved to St. Louis in the middle of the 1890's. Oreon E. Scott married Miss Mabel Crabbe on July 17, 1895. Mabel Scott died on Dec. 20th, 1928. Mr. and Mrs. Scott had three children, all daughters. Mrs. L. Avon Blue, Jr., and Mrs. Theodore M. Wall (names after marriage) were both living in St. Louis. Their other daughter was Mrs. Charles C. Skinner, formally Mary E. Scott.
Mr. Scott attended Bethany College, in Bethany, West Virginia, and graduated summa cum laude in 1892 [2]. He later went onto receive his bachelor of law degree from the University of Michigan in 1894.
College Involvement
The Oreon E. Scott Foundation has benefited many universities, such as: Drake University, Texas Christian University (TCU), Bethany College, Culver-Stockton College, Johnson Bible College. The fund also provides grants to Washington University in St. Louis and the St. Louis Public Library [2]. In 1950 he served as a trustee of Culver-Stockton College. In 1954 Oreon Scott was elected as a trustee of his alma mater, Bethany College. At the time of his death, Oreon was also a life trustee of Drake University, Culver-Stockton College, and Bethany College. He had been awarded the honorary LL.D. degrees from all three institutions, too. He was awarded an honorary degree from TCU in 1955. He also received an honorary doctorate from Butler University also in 1955.
Financial Foundation
In 1951, Mr. Scott established a $500,000 foundation providing funds for annual awards, lectureships, libraries at colleges and universities, and liberal gifts too [2]. In 1956, just five years after it was established, the foundation had grown to $560,000, and with further plan for it to reach $1,000,000.
Quotes
- On his birthdays Mr. Scott's offices were always filled with flowers, to which he once said: "I don't care much for theology and botany, but I like religion and flowers."
- Mr. Scott talking about his foundation to a news reporter, "After all, we're really only custodians of what we have. I believe the Lord has given us our abilities and worldly gains to use them as best we know how while we are living, and do our best to see that they serve others after we are gone."
- "Things which make us happiest are those which we do for others." Mr. Scott says at an assembly of ministers. [2]
REFERENCES
WORK CITED
- [1] Drake Times-Delphic. January 13th, 1956.
- [2] The Christian-Evangelist. February 1st, 1956. Page 5.