Administration

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Nichols' estate endows basketball scholarship
Monday, April 14, 2008

CANTON, Mo. – Culver-Stockton College will once again benefit from the generosity of George and Frances Nichols through a gift from their estate – an endowed scholarship fund of $100,000 to benefit student athletes in the basketball program.

Frances Nichols graduated from C-SC with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1946. The couple married in 1942. Frances Nichols died in January 2004 at the age of 88. George Nichols died in February 2007 at the age of 94.

The Nichols, who owned Nichols Implement Company in Canton for more than 50 years, made numerous significant gifts to Culver-Stockton during their lifetimes. In 1979, the couple established the George and Frances Nichols Endowed Scholarship to help Canton and Lewis County students attend Culver-Stockton. In 1995, they donated the building and property that had been occupied by their implement company to C-SC and Hannibal- LaGrange College, which divided the proceeds from its sale. The couple also donated the funds to build Nichols Field, home of the baseball Wildcats, which opened in 2001. In 2002, they were named “Pillars of Culver-Stockton College” in recognition of their lifelong support of the college.

“George and Frances Nichols welcomed me to their home when I arrived in Canton. They were always wonderful friends to the college, and this gift continues their legacy of generosity,” said Culver-Stockton President William L. Fox. “Their deep commitment inspires all of us to follow their high example.”

“Both George and Frances were very strong supporters of Culver-Stockton athletics while they were alive and became personal friends. Several of our baseball athletes would visit George when he was in the nursing home,” added C-SC Athletic Director Rod Walton. “They made Nichols Field possible, which has been a tremendous boost for the baseball program. Now, this new scholarship will also help to grow our basketball programs. Once again, Wildcat athletics is blessed by their generosity, and we are grateful.”