On March 11, 2005, the Lebanon Valley College Community was devastated to learn of the death of the Hon. Rowland W. Barnes, a successful alumnus, generous supporter, and treasured friend. Among one of the Valley's most prominent alumni, Rowland also kept in touch with classmates and teammates for decades following his 1962 graduation.

In the aftermath of the sorrow, alumni and friends have come together for a special purpose -- to honor this man who gave so much of himself to his family, his community, and to his alma mater. The Rowland W. Barnes '62 Memorial Project Committee has been formed. It is their goal to create a scholarship in memory of Judge Barnes that would benefit a student actively involved in civic engagement.

The goal of the Rowland W. Barnes '62 Memorial Project is to raise $50,000 to create this scholarship. Benefiting a student in their junior and senior years, the scholarship ideally would be awarded to a student who is planning to attend law school. Furthermore, just like Rowland, the student would have a commitment to democratic values and to making a contribution to society as a whole.

November 5, 2007: The Rowland Barnes Memorial Scholarship Committee is excited to announce that an anonymous benefactor has pledged to contribute $5,000 toward the Barnes scholarship fund *if* alumni and other friends of Rowland Barnes contribute an additional $10,000 to the project. When the challenge is met, the Barnes Scholarship Fund will exceed its goal to raise at least $50,000 for the scholarship and enable both a junior and senior student to be named as Barnes Scholars. Letters announcing the Barnes Scholarship Challenge have been sent to previous donors. If you would like to make a contribution, click on "Make A Gift Online" at the left, or contact Anne Berry in the LVC Development Office at 717-867-6220 or via email at berry@lvc.edu.

September 2007: The first Barnes Scholar has been named. He is Dwight A. Decker Jr., a member of the Class of 2009 at LVC. Dwight is from Harrisburg, and a graduate of Central Dauphin East High School. He is pursuing a dual major in political science and philosophy, with a minor in law and society. During the Spring 2008 semester, he will be participating in the College's study abroad program in Perugia, Italy. On campus, Dwight is a resident assistant for North College, the community service-driven house on campus. He is also a peer tutor, co-president of the Tae Kwon Do club, and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He plans to attend law school after graduating from LVC.