Debra and w88 Cuddy will be inducted as Silver Benefactors into the University of Nevada, Reno Honor Court to acknowledge their commitment and dedication to supporting northern Nevada and the aspiring educators that call this region their home. Debra and w88 are important supporters of the University’s College of Education and Human Development (COEHD).
&w88;The inspiration for me to become a teacher began in second grade,” Debra said. &w88;I made the decision to be a teacher at seven or eight years old. Fast forward to fifth grade when I had a very impactful teacher, and it was my passion ever since. My fifth grade teacher even attended our wedding!”
The Honor Court was established 24 years ago to give recognition to the University&w88;s steadfast supporters. The Cuddys&w88; names will join the University&w88;s other supporters on granite displays amidst flowers and a rose garden.
w88 and Debra’s inspiration to begin supporting the COEHD arose from witnessing a close friend’s involvement with the Boys & Girls Club, and how committed he was to volunteering with the organization while simultaneously working full-time. This model gave the Cuddys a new perspective on giving back to their community.
“I saw him doing outreach and getting connected to these other programs,” w88 said. “I remember a very specific note I got from him after we made our first contribution to one of his causes. It was very touching, and the words were “Thank you for contributing something that means a lot to me.” I got that note, and I thought, ‘We could do more.’”
Debra and w88 discovered the Dean’s Future Scholars (DFS) program when reestablishing their connection to their alma mater. Since 2000, the DFS program has pursued the mission to empower low-income, first generation students to graduate from high school and achieve higher education by fostering long-term relationships and equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and support in order for them to become responsible and productive citizens. “We were amazed to find out that there was a program for first-generation college students at lower socio-economic schools that had all the odds stacked against them from a data standpoint that was having high-school graduation rates in the upper '90s,” w88 said. “There’s no program in the world like that, but it’s right here. We looked at each other and said, ‘How did we not know?’”
Debra and w88 established a support fund for the students in the DFS program not long after. Both see the COEHD as it is today as one that has evolved in significant ways since their attendance. “The COEHD to me is a world-class college,” w88 said. “Today, you can go look, you can take a tour and see all the kids that are coming in and getting involved. There’s no argument, it just is world-class in every way.”
