Endowment fund named in mayor’s honor

Former Shepherd University president Suzanne Shipley speaks about the Arthur J. Auxer III Endowment Fund, during the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center dedication ceremony in the center arena Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
SHEPHERDSTOWN — The Corporation of Shepherdstown’s Mayor Jim Auxer said he shed a “little tear,” when he heard the news that Shepherd University’s former president, Suzanne Shipley, created a $50,000 endowment fund in his honor.
The Arthur J. Auxer III Endowment Fund was created for the use of the newly-dedicated Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center, formerly known as the Shepherd University Wellness Center, according to Shipley, during the center’s dedication ceremony in its arena on Saturday afternoon.
“Her personal support of Shepherd lives on in the donations that she and her family have made to the university, which support academics, athletics and the arts,” said current Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix, regarding Shipley’s generosity. “With her husband, Randy Wadsworth, and her family, Dr. Shipley has endowed the Create the Future fund, the Walker Horton Shipley Music Scholarship and the Mary Jane Shipley Scholarship, which is designated in support of women’s athletics. They donated funds to buy a second, hand-crafted Fazioli piano for the university, and they contributed to enabling renovations to Shepherd’s recital hall, which is now named for her late father, W. H. Shipley.”
“Even today, Dr. Shipley’s special philanthropy continues. I am thrilled to be able to announce the creation of an endowment, in honor of our friend, alumnus, mayor and alumni association president, Jim Auxer,” Hendrix said, before noting to the clapping audience that Auxer has become known for spending a lot of time working out in and talking to community members and Shepherd University employees in the center.
“I come to you wearing multiple hats: mayor of Shepherdstown, president of the Shepherd University Alumni Association, Shepherd graduate, Wellness Center member,” Auxer said, during the center’s dedication ceremony in its arena. “Whichever hat I wear, I’m grateful for the contribution that Suzanne has made to Shepherd University, and how these contributions have benefited our community.

Mayor Jim Auxer expresses his appreciation to Suzanne Shipley and Randy Wadsworth, for donating an endowment fund to the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center in his honor on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
“The personal donation that she and her family made, and continue to make, as evidenced by the creation of the Arthur J. Auxer III Endowment for the Shepherd University Wellness Center, will continue for years to come,” Auxer said. “Suzanne told me not to cry when I heard that. But when I first heard about it, I did shed a little tear.
“I’m humbled by the endowment that my friends, Suzanne and Randy, have created in my name, in support of the Wellness Center operations,” Auxer said, before jokingly clarifying about his role in caring for the center’s operations. “That doesn’t mean you can come to me and say, ‘The seat’s broke’ or ‘That peddle needs fixed!’ Don’t get confused by that!”
“This is just remarkable!” Hendrix said. “We’re so grateful.”
- Mayor Jim Auxer expresses his appreciation to Suzanne Shipley and Randy Wadsworth, for donating an endowment fund to the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center in his honor on Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
- Former Shepherd University president Suzanne Shipley speaks about the Arthur J. Auxer III Endowment Fund, during the Suzanne Shipley Wellness Center dedication ceremony in the center arena Saturday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston