| Eulogy or Dr. John Deaver Drinko delivered by Dr. Alan B. Gould | |
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Libby, Randy, Deaver, Lynn, Lee and all of the other members of
the Drinko Family. I bring you sincere condolences from your
friends at Marshall University. At his Alma Mater, John gladdened the hearts of all those he touched. And, I was fortunate to know and to work with John for the last fifteen years. John Deaver Drinko was the most interesting and accomplished man I’ve ever met. He devoured information, was interested in literally everything under the sun and amazingly seemed to have retained everything he had ever read, heard or seen. His compassion and comprehension was remarkable, and no one could tell a story like he could. I look upon John Drinko as a friend and mentor. He’d talk to you in such a manner, that, when you parted, you would say, this is an extraordinary man. John Deaver Drinko was a man of many parts – noted attorney, successful businessman, prominent Charolais cattleman, inveterate student of life and philanthropist extraordinaire. While actively engaged in several philanthropic pursuits, John Drinko earned a national reputation for his singular support of higher education. As evidence of his unstinting interest, Dr. Drinko received honorary degrees from a dozen American colleges and universities. His generosity extended well beyond the bounds of the Marshall University community. John’s interest in higher education was remarkably universal. He established 16 endowed chairs and nearly a dozen academic programs in the name of his law firm, its founders, colleagues and friends or himself and Libby. And, of all of these collegiate interests none was more important to John Drinko than his ties to his Alma Mater – Marshall University. It was during the Great Depression that John came to Marshall on an athletic scholarship. In reality, John was mature well beyond his years. Actually, since the age of nine he had assumed the role of breadwinner for himself, his Mother and his sister Francis. He arrived at Marshall wearing a feed sack shirt made by his Mother. John told me on numerous occasions how wonderful his years at Marshall were. He enjoyed his time at his Alma Mater and fondly recalled that “looking back, I had some of the greatest teachers in the world”. In 1942, while working fulltime at the local A & P, John graduated with highest honors and never forgot his Alma Mater. It was at that time, he said, that he would someday find a way to demonstrate his appreciation. And indeed, John, true to his word, has repaid his debt a thousand fold! “I believe,” He once said, “Somebody built the place before I got there. If you got something out of it, you should give something back.” At critical times in its institutional history John Drinko has been there for his Alma Mater. No better example exists than the leadership role he took following the devastating Marshall plane crash on November 14, 1970 which clamed the lives of seventy-five football players, coaches, university staff, fans and crew. Immediately upon hearing the news, John rushed to Huntington to help. In rapid order, he raised over $500,000, in contributions for the victim’s families before he returned to Cleveland. Then in 1985, John and Libby established a one million dollar academic chair, the university’s first, in the College of Liberal Arts. Some nine years later (1994) John created and handsomely endowed the now nationally recognized Drinko Academy for Political Institutions and Civic Culture. Shortly after establishing the Academy, John told me and again I’ll quote him: Whatever we do, “it will always be done First Class and never half way”. John Drinko played an active and enthusiastic role in the organization’s evolution and operations since its inception. And, the Drinko Academy is now regarded as an academic centerpiece on campus and is recognized as one of the university’s elite Centers of Academic Excellence. Additionally, the Academy is the proud recipient of three national awards for academic and community achievement. John’s support did not rest solely with the work of the Academy. A list of sixteen major university programs and projects have benefited from his generosity and leadership. Then there is John’s pride and joy! His Library. It is an award winning structure renouned both for its architecture style and its technological innovations. What John was most proud of was the number of individual donations to its construction –exactly 2,265 in number – far more than for any other building project on campus. At John’s insistence all donors, large and small alike, received equal acclaim. As John said: “Remember the Widow’s Mite – Sometimes, Alan, less is more!” This attitude is what we at Marshall remember most about John Drinko. He was a people person who genuinely cared. On each visit, John would approach someone – a grounds keeper, a student, a faculty or staff member, extend his hand and exclaim, “ Hi I’m John Drinko –what’s your name and what do you do?” He was interested in talking to people, listening to their comments and thanking them for their contributions to Marshall. His caring left a lasting impression upon all he met. As one person put it: “John Drinko was not just a benefactor, he was our friend and mentor.” To quote another: “Dr. Drinko is a tither many times over… He doesn’t just give money, he gives of himself..” And finally, speaking for hundreds of us, “John Drinko has used not only his wealth but also his ideas to improve the quality of education for generations to come, we will continue to benefit from his insights and his generosity.” If you think that John Drinko is gone then obviously you have not visited the Marshall campus. John Drinko’s legacy is alive and vibrant. The daily life at Marshall University makes John Drinko uniquely relevant. Brilliant, visionary, often blunt and always hard driving, John Drinko dedicated his significant talents and boundless energy to accomplish Marshall’s institutional goals. His name and his ideals will continue to command attention in the central work of his university. And it is our privilege to serve as stewards of John’s legacy to his Alma Mater he loved so much. As stated by our university President, Dr. Stephen Kopp, “John Drinko will be forever remembered as a “Son of Marshall.” |
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211 Old Main =
One John Marshall Drive=
Huntington, WV 25755-2014
Email:
drinko@marshall.edu
