This is our story... Matsue and the late George Dewese

“George and I began supporting Radford University in 1997. Making sure future students can receive a college education is how I will continue to support RU and honor my husband’s legacy. In addition to the two Scottish Rite scholarships for students majoring in business, we have two scholarships for students who are committed to advancing the knowledge of childhood language disorders and are positioning themselves to work with children in Virginia. As George and I did together, I will continue supporting the university through our endowed scholarships and charitable remainder trust.”

George Dewese attended Auburn High School before joining the U.S. Army, where he served in the Corps of Engineers and Signal Corps. While stationed in Japan, he met and married Matsue Yamazaki. The couple soon discovered a shared passion for finance and the stock market. When he retired from the military in 1968, they returned to Virginia. He worked in electronic testing at General Electric Co., and she worked there as an assembler. George retired from G.E. in 1989. Matsue continued working for the company until September 1996. A 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason—the Scottish Rite’s highest honor—George was an honorary member of the Order of DeMolay and recipient of the Radford University Lifetime Achievement Award.

The university is deeply grateful to Matsue for the longtime support she and her late husband have given to Radford and for her commitment to carry on his legacy. The Deweses’ generosity has enhanced the lives of a generation of Radford University students and will continue to make a difference long into the future.

For more information on how you can leave a legacy and the different ways you can support Radford University, please contact the Office of University Advancement at (540) 831-5407 or ruadvancement@radford.edu.

Timeline:

March 1997

The George E. and Matsue Yamazaki Dewese Scottish Rite Scholarship for business majors from Shawsville and Auburn Virginia high schools is established.

April 1999

The Ninevah Broombaugh Dewese and Daisy Ellen Moss Dewese Scottish Rite Scholarship for business majors from Covington and Alleghany Virginia high schools is established.

November 1999

A $6,000 gift for the first George Everett and Matsue Yamazaki Dewese Scottish Rite Graduate Fellowship is awarded.

August 2001

A $100,000 gift established a permanent George Everett and Matsue Yamazaki Dewese Scottish Rite Graduate Fellowship.

June 2002

The George Everett and Matsue Yamazaki Dewese Scottish Rite Scholarship is established through proceeds from the Dewese Charitable Remainder Trust for DeMolay boys and Rainbow girls (descendants of Scottish Rite Masons) to attend Radford.

December 2004

A gift of 270 acres of land for the Dewese Scottish Rite Biological Preserve used for science and technology students to conduct research.

May 2010

A $5,000 challenge grant to raise $25,000 to endow the Yamazaki/SMIPO Scholarship, to be awarded to a member of the Student Managed Investment Portfolio Organization.