November 2008 TCF Announces Warken Fund
November 4, 2008
Press Release
Smith Award, Warken Fund and Grants Top Foundation Agenda
The Tucker Community Foundation held its quarterly meeting October 22. The meeting opened with board member Mariwyn McClain Smith receiving the statewide Spirit of Philanthropy Award from Shannon Cunningham on behalf of the WV Grantmakers.
The Philip Warken Fund of TCF was presented to Directors for approval. The fund was established by the estate of the late Philip Warken who passed away at his residence in Canaan Valley October 2004 at the age of 69. The Warken Fund is designed to award annual grants for the needy in Tucker County.
Mr. Warken was an emeritus professor of history and longtime debate coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. He was a very private individual but much respected by the midshipman debaters who stayed in touch with him over the years, fondly referring to him as “the King”.
Warken was the head of the academy’s debate program in 1967. By the 1970’s the team was routinely receiving national ranking and prominence as a member of the highly competitive District 8, which included Georgetown University, George Washington University and James Madison University. His teams competed for several national championships.
Board members discussed options for distributing grants from the Warken Fund. Mr. Warken had no immediate survivors.
In other business, the Long Range Planning Committee reported that options for Foundation office space are being explored. Currently the main office is housed on the second floor of the Board of Education building. Satellite offices in other towns are being considered and members are to seek out possible locations and report back to the committee.
The Grants Committee presented the recommendations for 2008 Grant Awards to the full board which will be announced publicly after interested parties are notified.
The next meeting of the full board will be held in January. The Tucker Community Foundation board is comprised of 22 board members from Tucker, Randolph and Preston counties.
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