May 2006

Advancement Report

Alumnus and Adjunct Faculty Member Plans for Scholarships

By Raina Lenney

“The bowtie is my signature look,” says Robert Laycock, BBA ’65, MBA ’68, gesturing towards his stylish blue and green tie. “After so many years in front of a blackboard,” he says. “I realized that it is impossible to keep a traditional tie free of chalk.” With more than 38 years of teaching experience—his entire career as a full-time professor at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD, and 21 years as an adjunct professor at GW—Laycock knows what he is talking about.

Recently Laycock made a generous bequest to GW that enabled him to bridge the two distinct parts of his teaching career. Laycock, who sees numerous bright, qualified students at his two-year college, wanted to make it possible for these students to attend GW. His bequest creates an endowed scholarship that will support a student in accounting or business

who transfers to GW after completing a two-year program at a community college. “Many of the students I teach at Montgomery College have 3.9 grade point averages,” he says. “GW would benefit from these students, and all they need to attend the University is a little help with tuition costs.” Laycock’s legacy will ultimately provide a link between the educational opportunities available at a two-year school and those available at GW.

Why has Laycock devoted his life to teaching? “Put simply,” he states, with a hint of a smile, “the students tend to like me.” He goes on to say, “I found my professors extremely inspiring during my time as a student at GW, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I truly love teaching.”

Laycock’s commitment to his students is evident both at Montgomery College and at GW, and he takes great pleasure in learning of the successes of former students.
Laycock’s bequest will make a significant difference for generations of students as the need for scholarship support increases. Laycock’s gift is one step towards ensuring that countless intelligent students can continue to attend GW.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu