David '76 M '84 and Moira Porteous '77 Hair

Drawn by the philosophy to give back

Inspiration came from many sources to David '76 M'84 and Moira Porteous'77 Hair when they made the decision to leave East Stroudsburg University in their will. It came from East Stroudsburg State College, a group of Shawnee Hall residents, former ESU Alumni Director Bob Kelly '71, and the University of Scranton where David Hair worked in the exercise science and sport department before retiring as its department chair.

"One of the things that became important to me at the University of Scranton is that it is a Jesuit university, and the Jesuits believe it is critical to give back," said David Hair.

Hair and his wife Moira believe they would not have been able to secure their jobs in education without their degrees from ESSC.

"The education part was one of the big things we took away," said Moira Hair. "East Stroudsburg State College had an excellent education department- the course selection, the help the professors were able to give to us, and the understanding."

In addition to their education, Moira was on the lacrosse team, and Dave was on the swim team, so neither of them went home on weekends very often.

"The independence I was able to have, and to be able to create the social environment that I had? it is rewarding to this day to know the people in our lives for a long, long time who are not family," Moira Hair said.

Some of those people resided with Dave on the third floor of Shawnee Hall and are contributors to the Third Floor Shawnee Hall Alumni Endowed Scholarship.

"Bob Kelley wanted to get me involved in alumni activities, and I really didn't want to be making phone calls, so I came up with the idea for the scholarship and got in touch with the other guys," said David Hair.

An undergrad who lives in any ESU on-campus housing, is involved in an extra-curricular activity, has completed 60 credits, and has a 2.5 GPA are some of the qualifications needed to be considered for this particular scholarship.

"When we set up the criteria, it reflected what we did when we were there- we didn't go home on weekends, and we played a sport or participated in other campus activities. The scholarship wouldn't be nearly as successful without the other guys contributing. I call them my unrelated brothers, and the friendships remain."

Moira is also retired after teaching health and physical education at Abington Heights High School in Clarks Summit. The Hairs now reside in Palm Coast, Fla., but often return to ESU as involved alumni. In December 2018, they became members of the 1893 Society by designating in their will a gift to support the Third Floor Shawnee Hall Alumni Endowed Scholarship.

The 1893 Society was established to recognize the thoughtfulness and generosity of alumni and friends who have remembered East Stroudsburg University in their estate plans.

"The idea of giving back was something I was very impressed with, and I felt it was important to do for East Stroudsburg because of the education I received," David Hair said. "The Third Floor Shawnee Scholarship endeavor would not be possible without the generous contributions of those involved."

To learn more about the 1893 Society, please visit our website at www.esufoundationlegacy.org and click on The 1893 Society. You may also contact Shelley A. Speirs '92, Director of Major and Planned Gifts at 570-422-3333.