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Endowment named after DPU computer science professor Gloria Townsend
Gregory and Lisa Childress Larkin have established the Gloria Townsend Endowed Scholarship in honor of the DePauw computer science professor who is Lisa’s sister.
The scholarship honors Townsend’s decades of service to DePauw and supports her advocacy for students underrepresented in computer science.
“Gloria Childress Townsend’s career-long dedication for the advancement of students of diverse backgrounds in computer science is clearly emblematic of the highest standard of teaching,” Lisa Larkin said. “It is truly our joy to honor my sister with this scholarship in her name.”
The scholarship will be awarded to one or more incoming women and/or domestic students of color with significant demonstrated financial need who intend to major in computer science, and for whom this assistance will close a financial gap and reduce barriers in their decision to matriculate at DePauw.
Townsend, who joined DePauw’s faculty in 1980, was especially interested in the evolutionary computation domain.
Lisa Larkin worked for DePauw from 1987 to 1992, when she created the Fitness and Wellness Department. She worked under the supervision of Page Cotton, whose guidance and support, she said, “revealed his leadership, dedication and love for DePauw University and all students.”
From 1992 to 2005, Larkin provided nurse practitioner services for the students and faculty of Marian University in Indianapolis. She has also been a Red Cross volunteer nurse since 1975.
Greg Larkin practiced family medicine in Greencastle for 12 years, worked 22 years as medical director at Eli Lilly and Company and was Indiana’s state health commissioner from 2010-13. He was an adjunct professor at DePauw from 1976-77 and was a board chairman of DePauw’s Operation Life Paramedic Organization.
The Larkins have been court-assigned-special advocate (CASA) volunteers for foster child care in Indianapolis.
They also participated in a winter-term project in 1990, providing medical care for people in Conacaste, Guatemala. Their son Nicholas, then 10 years old, joined them. They said the compassion and empathy demonstrated by students, professors and other professionals enriched their appreciation of DePauw.
Those interested in contributing to the Gloria Townsend Endowed Scholarship, or to scholarships in general, may contact Director of Development Steve Trautman at 765-658-4085 or email annualgiving@depauw.edu.