In 1989, Scioto County lost beloved retired teacher and community leader Loretta Cooper Woods. More than twenty years later, her legacy lives on, together with that of her husband V. Graydon Woods, who passed away in 1980.

A gift of nearly $550,000 to the Shawnee State University Development Foundation has established the Graydon Woods and Loretta C. Woods Scholarship Fund.

“This contribution demonstrates the significant impact people can make to their communities long after they leave us,” said Development Foundation Executive Director Eric Braun. “The generosity and forethought exercised by Mr. and Mrs. Woods through planned giving years ago will today make a direct positive difference in the lives of Shawnee State students and their families.

Furthermore, this new endowment will continue to benefit Shawnee State for generations to come.”

A graduate of Portsmouth High School, Loretta Woods served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1950 to 1958 and was executive secretary for Sixth District Congressman E.O. McCowen in Washington, D.C. from 1940 to 1945.

Woods received her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree from Marshall University.

Woods was a retired teacher from Clay High School, and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, the Scioto County Women’s Republican Club, the Elks Ladies Bridge Association, the Portsmouth Chapter 424 Order of Eastern Star, the Portsmouth Garden Club and the Women’s Literary Club.

She worked for many years as member and secretary of the Scioto County Retired Teachers Association.

For more information on how to support scholarships and other initiatives at Shawnee State University, contact the SSU Development Foundation at (740) 351-3284 or giveto.shawnee.edu.