Don Northway/Shelter Insurance Endowment
- Don Northway (1938-2006)
The Don Northway – Shelter Insurance Foundation endowment was established in November 2003. Don, a 1956 graduate of Willow Springs High School, retired from Shelter Insurance in 2003. In honor of his retirement, the Shelter Insurance Foundation made a contribution of $5,000 to charity of Don’s choice. Don chose the Willow Springs Scholarship Club and he personally matched the $5000 given by the Shelter Foundation to establish a $10,000 endowment. $2000 was to be used for a scholarship for the next five years. When the amount given for scholarships was increased, the WSSC Board of Directors voted to give any individual or group the right to name a scholarship for one year if their donation was $2000 or more.
Upon Don’s graduation from SMSU in 1961, local MFA Insurance agents, Lois and John Foster encouraged him to apply for a job with MFA (later to become Shelter) Insurance. He got a job as auto underwriter with the insurance company. During Don Northway’s 42 years with Shelter Insurance he served in several management positions in underwriting, moving to Vice President of General Services in 1993. Northway, recalling his days as a college student, wanted to help other WSHS graduates complete their education. His gift emphasized the importance he placed upon completing a college degree. He had been a strong supporter of the Scholarship Club for many years before his retirement.
- Alumni Banquet May 28, 2005 | Left to Right: Don Northway ’56, Adam Elmore ’05, Helen Tandy ’56
Shelter Insurance also recognizes the benefits of higher education. The Shelter Insurance Foundation, formed in 1981, is a charitable, scientific and educational foundation funded by the Shelter Mutual Insurance Company. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide educational scholarships for high school seniors in their 13 state operating area. The Foundation has awarded over $5.5 million in scholarships to students through its scholarship program.
Don died unexpectedly January 20, 2006. His family and friends contributed to a Don Northway Memorial Scholarship in 2006. The 2009 WSSC Northway/Shelter Insurance Scholarship will be the fifth scholarship given.
