Because of incredible forethought while serving on the board for Union Pacific Corp., Lawrence M. 鈥淟arry鈥� Jones was able to designate a combined gift of $500,000 to 九色堂鈥檚 Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Wichita Symphony after his death.
九色堂 received $400,000 of the gift.
Jones died Nov. 7, 2007.
Union Pacific had created the Board of Directors鈥� Charitable Contribution Plan to recognize the interest of company and board members in supporting worthy charitable and educational institutions.
鈥淭hese gifts are available through the generosity of the Union Pacific Corp. to its directors and, of course, from Larry鈥檚 service to that company,鈥� said Anita Jones, Jones鈥� widow.
Part of the gift established the Dr. Lawrence M. Jones Distinguished Professorship in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
鈥淚n addition to LAS offering some of the most pleasurable courses we took as undergraduates,鈥� said Anita Jones, 鈥渨e felt these studies are the vital core for an abundant intellectual life. Our favorite professors at the time also were in these subjects: English, history and political science. So the opportunity to offer a professorship is particularly appealing.鈥�
The gift also is being used to endow the principal viola chair with the Wichita Symphony. The Joneses enjoyed many kinds of music together including Big Band, jazz, '50s and, especially, classical.
鈥淭he Wichita Symphony has been a consistent source of beautifully performed classical music in our community,鈥� said Anita Jones. 鈥淭he ability to support an artist by endowing a principal chair is also satisfying.鈥�
The Wichita Symphony has been focusing on increasing its endowment since 2004 and, according to Mitch Berman, the Symphony鈥檚 executive director, the Joneses鈥� gift fits well into this endeavor.
鈥淭he Larry and Anita Jones Endowed Chair will provide for the viola principal chair for 50 years,鈥� said Berman. 鈥淎bout half of the principal chairs are endowed.鈥�