Sowing the seeds of success

Each spring, as the trees start to blossom, students in our area prepare for the next step on their learning journey. Graduation parties are planned, and high school seniors and their families look to their upcoming opportunities for college. Over the years, generous donors to Lincoln Community Foundation have established 87 scholarship funds that benefit students in Lancaster County and across the state of Nebraska. 

Many of us are familiar with scholarships from the student perspective, but there is also a great deal happening in tandem with the application process. Other individuals are also preparing for the scholarship season – the members of our community that serve on LCF’s scholarship selection committee. 

These folks are the behind-the-scenes volunteers who are passionate about helping students attain higher education and dedicate hours of their time to ensure that deserving recipients are selected. 

Bob and Sheri Downey know this process well. 

“When you read the applications, the need is obvious,” said Bob. “And the work that these students are putting in to gaining higher education is tremendous.” 

Sheri agreed. 

“They have a high likelihood of succeeding,” she said. “It’s a good thing to be able to help them along the way.” 

Bob and Sheri discussed what draws them to this volunteer opportunity year after year over coffee at the Mill Coffee Telegraph. For Sheri, it was her own college experience that inspired her to give of her time. 

“I worked full-time to support my tuition and books,” said Sheri. “Scholarships made it possible for me to pursue my degree.” 

Originally from Kansas City, Sheri came to Lincoln to attend the University. Bob, a long-time Lincolnite, also graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. They met by chance outside of Sports Courts, a Lincoln health and racquet ball club. Forty-four years later, they love calling Lincoln home. 

“It’s still a big-small town,” said Bob. 

Answering a blind ad in the newspaper for a job at the Capital Humane Society brought them back to Lincoln early on in their marriage. Looking for opportunities to be closer to family, Bob didn’t realize at the time that he’d be forging his path of 36 years helping Lincoln’s pets as its CEO. 

“When I started, the organization was close to bankruptcy,” said Bob. “We had a staff of 11 and one facility. Now their assets have grown to more than $11 million, they have two locations, and they’re providing critical veterinary services.” 

“During my time we were able to do so many positive things,” he continued. “But I think the biggest impact was changing how the community looks at animals who come from shelters.” 

Sheri’s heart and career has been focused on working with veterans. After more than 29 years with the VA Medical Center, she reflected: “the good always outweighed the bad.” 

Volunteering as LCF scholarship reviewers led Bob and Sheri to think about their own legacy plans and establishing a future gift for students. When it came to deciding where to create their own scholarship fund – the choice was obvious. 

“It was extremely easy to work with the Foundation,” said Bob. “The trust was already there. I just picked up the phone.” 

The Downeys worked with Vice President and General Counsel Tracy Edgerton to focus their support on the areas that meant the most to them. The Bob and Sheri Downey Endowed Scholarship Fund reflects their own passions and will benefit students pursuing veterinary medicine, food and nutrition, and health care. 

“It is such a joy to work with folks like the Downeys to help them bring their vision to reality,” Tracy said. “Bob and Sheri knew they wanted to help young people in our community make the most of their college experience, and they honed in on helping students in critical areas that mirror their professional journeys.” 

As Bob and Sheri gear up for another season of scholarship selections, they hope that others are encouraged to think about legacy giving. 

 “What a great way to ensure that what’s left behind will help other people,” said Bob. “It’s something everyone can do.” 

Generosity blossoms through uplifting acts – like leaving a meaningful gift for the community of the future. To learn more, contact Tracy Edgerton at 402-474-2345 or tracye@lcf.org.