The Ruth Pittard Fund for Love In Action

The Ruth Pittard Fund for Love In Action, established by Davidson College alumnae Michelle Levin ’06 and Brika Eklund ’06 in partnership with the Center for Civic Engagement, honors Ruth’s positive impact across the Davidson community for over 30 years.  Whether as a Davidson townsperson registering voters or participating in peace gatherings, or as a College staff member making new ideas come to life, Ruth has always exuded love, understanding and acceptance of all.   

Following several roles on campus in Audio Visual Services, the College Union, and Student Life, Ruth became the first Director of the Bonner Scholars Program on campus - a nationally recognized community service scholarship program emphasizing love, compassion and leadership through the values of civic engagement, community building, diversity, international perspective, social justice, spiritual exploration, and wellness.  Ruth retired in 2005 as Davidson’s Assistant Dean for Community Service and imprinted Davidson with a legacy of selfless giving and open-armed acceptance.  Over the course of her more than three decades on campus, Ruth uniquely influenced the lives of countless students, coworkers, and friends.  Ruth continues these meaningful friendships to this day from her tiny, solar-powered home in Black Mountain, North Carolina. 

“Throughout my life, I have maintained a personal commitment to creative, compassionate community building with the town of Davidson and beyond - a dedication to collaborative action for the good of all,” Ruth shares. “Davidson provides a natural foundation for producing students who become stewards of integrity and service to their communities around the world.  It is my hope that this grant provides current students with an opportunity to have transformative experiences through service.”

Offered through the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), the Ruth Pittard Fund for Love In Action supports Davidson students pursuing meaningful summer experiences that honor Ruth’s values: collaboration, community building, participation, integrity and love. Stacey Riemer, Associate Dean of Students & Director of the Center for Civic Engagement shares “During her time at Davidson, Ruth developed a solid infrastructure from which Davidson’s service program could grow and thrive while simultaneously supporting students to develop their passions for community leadership. This fund will provide valuable resources for students as they pursue opportunities that are meaningful to them and the communities of which they are a part.”

The fund currently provides up to $5,000 in grant money to support summer internships, projects, or experiences.  The fund creators intend to endow the fund should total contributions exceed $100,000, allowing the CCE to support students in perpetually effectuating positive community-driven change around the world.