A gift totaling more than $1 million from the estate of Gladys G. Shulaw has created the Dale M. Shulaw and Gladys G. Shulaw Presidential Scholarship in Physics. The new award elevates a previous scholarship in Dale’s honor and provides for exceptional physics majors. Recipients of the presidential scholarship will receive $10,000 per year, renewable for four years.
“Gifts of this magnitude allow us to celebrate the academic accomplishments of our highest achieving students,” said President Larry Dietz. “We are grateful for Dale’s and Gladys’ vision and commitment to the University.”
Dale returned to Illinois State Normal University to complete his degree following four years of military service in Europe during World War II as a master sergeant. He was active on campus, participating in the Business Education Club, Pi Omega Pi, the Men’s Marching Band, and Men’s Glee Club, among other pursuits. He graduated in 1947 with a bachelor of science degree in business teacher education. Dale earned a master of science degree in education from Indiana University, where he pursued a doctorate in education before returning to military service in 1950.
Dale and Gladys met in France when he was assigned to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Gladys was also assigned to SHAPE, where she worked as a stenographer and translator in the French Women’s Army Corp. They were married in Paris in 1954.
Gladys became a U.S. citizen in 1960 when the two briefly returned to the U.S. and before Dale was stationed in Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of the Military Advisory Assistance Group. Dale was assigned to the Pentagon in 1966, and the couple moved to Arlington, Virginia. After he retired from the Army, Dale served on the staff of the House Subcommittee on Military Appropriations for 18 years. The couple lived in Arlington for the remainder of their lives. Dale passed away in 1989 at age 68, and Gladys in 2019 at the age of 101.
Karin and Robert Pettit, close friends of Gladys for more than 50 years, remember the value Gladys and Dale placed on education.
“Dale had a tremendous influence on my achieving an education. He stressed the importance of getting an education in order to succeed in whatever endeavor I wanted to pursue,” said Karin, who was ten years old when she met Dale and Gladys in Copenhagen, where her father was stationed. Karin later became the first in her family to earn a college degree, and eventually completed master’s and doctorate degrees.
Karin remembers Gladys as a life-long learner who valued art, literature, science, music, and culture.
“Gladys bought her first computer at age 90. She was learning Spanish and would often print out science articles from BBC News Mundo to practice translating,” said Karin.
“Most of all, the Shulaws taught by example,” Karin said. “They worked hard, were frugal, but enjoyed life and what they did have. They lived a simple life and were happy. And now, through their generosity, the Shulaws are giving opportunities to others.”
The first recipients of the Dale M. Shulaw and Gladys G. Presidential Scholarship in Physics will be named this fall. A video is being created to honor Dale and Gladys, and to celebrate the journey of the scholarship’s recipients to Illinois State. It will be available on News.IllinoisState.edu in September. Planned gifts to Illinois State provide a future giving pipeline of more than $96 million. Donors who commit a bequest commitment to the University communicate their confidence in Illinois State’s future, while clearly documenting their philanthropic intentions. To learn more about documenting a planned gift, download our free estate planning guide or contact a development staff member today.
