Bob and Sylvia Jefferies
When Bob and Sylvia Jefferies first moved to Bloomington in 1963 so that Bob, JD'66, could attend Indiana Law, the two were quite poor—so poor, in fact, they didn't own a telephone or a car. When Bob had his eye on a $150 engagement ring for Sylvia, he needed to borrow the money from his wife-to-be. "I think he borrowed $125 of it," Sylvia muses.
The Jefferies's financial struggles during Bob's years in law school were partly alleviated by the scholarship he received. That scholarship came with a request, however. He was asked to give back to Indiana Law students when he became financially able.
In 1994, when Bob was enjoying a successful career at Leggett & Platt, Inc., as general counsel and vice president of the company, he converted the amount of the scholarship he'd received into present-day dollars. Then, he and Sylvia doubled that amount and used the new figure as a starting point to create an endowed scholarship.
To date, 37 Indiana Law students have received the Jefferies' scholarships. "We attach the same condition to our scholarship that was attached to mine," Bob says. "We want students to morally commit to giving back to students. They're asked to support students when they're financially able, just as they're being supported now."
When Bob retired in 2005, Bob and Sylvia moved from their long-time Missouri home back to Bloomington. They are now in a central location between their three sons—two of whom graduated from the School of Law—who live in Chicago, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. They're much nearer to Bob's mother in Richmond, Ind., and to Sylvia's parents in Maryville, Tenn.
Being in Bloomington also makes it easier for Bob to serve as an invaluable volunteer at the School. He recently worked with faculty members and others to prepare the Strategic Plan, which is designed to guide the Law School through the next five years. Bob currently serves on the Campaign Cabinet for the School's capital campaign, as a judge for the Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition, and as chair of the Law School's Board of Visitors.
Living in Bloomington often brings Bob and Sylvia face-to-face with some of the students who have benefitted from their generosity. "Today's students are all very talented people," said Bob, who wants the scholarship to assist students with the greatest need, not necessarily those with the top test scores or highest GPAs. "Sylvia and I are more concerned with helping people who have financial need—because earlier supporters of the Law School were there for us when we really needed the help."