The William Emory Trainham Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Business has been established at Ashland University and AU alumni who knew the former chairman of the Business Administration Department are being asked to support the scholarship that is expected to advance the business analytics education program at AU.
The scholarship was established by his step-son Dr. Tim Keyes and his wife, Jennifer, on behalf of the Trainham and Keyes families. Keyes is a 1983 graduate of AU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.
“We established the William Emory Trainham Jr. Endowed Scholarship in honor of Dad, who passed away in 2016 at 94 years young, and to continue his legacy of multi- disciplinary scholarship and pragmatic education,” Keyes said. “Dad was a life-long learner, active for many decades as a minister, educator, consultant, civic leader and business owner who partnered in all activities with his wife and my mother, Brownie Trainham.
Together, they were also avid music and art enthusiasts, and evangelized a many-faceted approach to educational development in their children, friends and colleagues.”
Keyes said the WET Scholarship will continue in perpetuity assisting learners with their education endeavors in honor of his accomplishments, influence and legacy at Ashland University.
“New since Dad retired is the introduction of Business Analytics to the curriculum at Ashland. Jennifer and I have had enriching careers in this area, and therefore are choosing to connect the WET Scholarship with the development of programs in this area, with the Business Administration Department taking the lead for other programs pursuing education in ‘analytics’,” Keyes said.
“We are hopeful that this scholarship is the impetus for additional programmatic support, possibly funding a symposium and establishing a business analytics lab eventually,” said Keyes. “We’re hoping to see a joint venture between mathematics and business and economics as a potential path for more technical business and economics students and math, stats and actuarial students looking to have an applied area of endeavor.”
Trainham was a member of AU’s Business Department for many years and served as chairman of the Business Administration Department from 1971 until his retirement and appointment as professor emeritus in 1992. During his tenure at Ashland, he and his wife, Brownie, established Trainham and Associates, a management counseling and education ministry to more than 60 businesses and industries throughout Ohio.
According to the endowed scholarship stipulations, the scholarship will be presented annually to full-time undergraduate students with financial need who are pursuing a degree in Business Analytics Education or the equivalent. Preference will be given to students that also participate in the arts and music.
AU President Dr. Carlos Campo said endowed scholarships are important to the success of Ashland University. “We are so pleased that Tim and his wife, Jennifer, have made the decision to initiate funding for an endowed scholarship that will help students be able to attend Ashland University. It is a gift that keeps on giving year after year and will continue to touch students forever,” Campo said.
Ashland University Endowed Scholarships help to provide deserving students of modest means with an Ashland education, and enrich the Ashland experience by ensuring a diverse student body.
Approximately 500 named endowed scholarships have been established since 1980. When a gift is endowed, the initial principal is invested and awards are made from the annual earnings. This provides a level of current support, while providing a reliable source of funds for the future.
Those wanting to support the Trainham Endowed Scholarship or find out more information can contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 419.289.5024 or visit www.ashland.edu/advancement.