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5/29/2009

$6.6 million Holloway estate will establish scholarships at Rice and replace track at stadium

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News staff

Two alumni who met at Rice more than eight decades ago never forgot that their alma mater brought them together. The magnitude of their gratitude became evident when their estate was settled this year.

Edward Holloway and Naomi "Petie" Guion Holloway, both from the Class of '33, left $6.6 million to the Centennial Campaign.

	EDWARD HOLLOWAY		NAOMI "PETIE" GUION HOLLOWAY

About $4.4 million of their gift will be used to establish a need-based endowed scholarship fund. Another $1.3 million will establish an endowed fund that will support yearly contributions to the Rice Annual Fund. The remaining $880,000 will pay for replacement of the track at the Track/Soccer Stadium -- a reminder of Edward's years on the Rice track team -- and set up an endowed scholarship for track athletes.

“Petie and Ed Holloway are wonderful examples of Rice’s dedicated and passionate alumni," President David Leebron said. "They will be forever missed by the university community, but remembered for their extraordinary commitment and generosity to our current and future students." 

The Centennial Campaign
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Learn more about Rice University's track program Edward received a B.S. in physical education and was a physical education instructor during his senior year. He was a member of the track team throughout his years at Rice and served as team captain in 1932-33. He also was a member of the "R" Association. Edward spent most of his career working for the Coca-Cola Co., where he retired as marketing controller. He died in 1985.

Petie graduated with a B.A. degree. She was a typist on the Campanile staff and was also involved with the Cranmer Club, May Fete and the "R" and Quill Association. She collected all sorts of owls, including ceramics, stuffed animals, paintings, knickknacks, sweaters and other clothing. She died this past January. The Holloways had no children.

Over the years the Holloways were loyal supporters of the Rice Annual Fund and the track program. A longtime friend of the Holloways' recalled that their basement was like a shrine to Rice -- filled with Rice memorabilia and photos of Edward at various track events.

Chris Muñoz, vice president for Enrollment, said, "Having more need-based scholarships available will help us attract the best students from all backgrounds. We're fortunate to receive this very generous gift from the Holloway estate at a time when the undergraduate student body continues to grow as part of Rice's Vision for the Second Century."

Chris Del Conte, director of Athletics, said the Holloways' gift comes at an ideal time. "Our track stadium is in dire need of repair, so we're thankful to receive a gift that is absolutely critical to our track and field program. Both our women's and men's track programs have produced Olympians and national champions, and a new track will help us continue to recruit student-athletes of such high caliber."