Published: April 06, 2009 10:47 am      

Starnes family announces $1.5 million gift to Union

Special to The Times-Tribune

William and Sofia Starnes came to Union College last week as guest lecturers and left as major donors.

The Starneses visited Union’s campus as part of the Distinguished Alumni Scholar program.  William Starnes is an accomplished chemist with numerous patents to his name.  He attended Union as an undergraduate in the 1950s. Sofia Starnes is a distinguished poet and editor.  

At a reception in their honor late Friday afternoon, Starnes announced that he and Sofia plan to give Union approximately $1.5 million to bring speakers, artists and scholars to campus.  

The gift will be used to establish the William H. Starnes Jr. and Sofia M. Starnes Endowed Speakers and Artists Series. 

 The couple hopes the series will reflect their wide-ranging interests and benefit the campus and community.

 “One of the really nice things about Union is the town and gown relationship,” said Starnes.  “So this would be good for the entire area.”

 Starnes remembers being exposed to live classical music performances as a child in Ewing, Va., and believes it’s important for college students and community members to have access to similar opportunities.

 Though Union has several arts and cultural events each year, the couple’s gift will enable the college to bring top artists and speakers to campus from around the world.

 “There’s nothing like personal exposure,” said Sofia. “Being exposed to somebody who excels in a field is really wonderful.  It opens up possibilities and immediately makes you feel the world is wide.”

 The Starneses also announced a $100,000 gift to create scholarships for Union students who major in chemistry or English or minor in music.  The scholarships will help cover tuition costs for students who show promise and demonstrate financial need.

 Denise Wainscott, Union’s vice president for advancement, says their gifts will leave a long legacy. 

 “What Bill and Sofia have done will enrich the education of Union students and the life of our community for generations to come,” she said. 

Both the scholarship trust and the speaker and artist series endowment are bequests.

 Union College is a private liberal arts college related to the United Methodist Church and located in Barbourville. To learn more, visit www.unionky.edu.