91传媒

From College Sweethearts to Blue & Gold Legacies

In a cozy corner of the Library on 91传媒鈥檚 campus, longtime alumni Mary Jo Lemon, 鈥�66, and her husband Terry Lemon, 鈥�69, reminisced about their memories as adults, students, and children.聽

鈥淚 remember my mother bringing my sister and me to her office and just playing in the halls of Inlow,鈥� Mary Jo said smiling. 鈥淪he worked for seven of 91传媒鈥檚 presidents throughout her career; I remember helping her fold letters and babysitting for all of the professors.鈥�

Mary Jo, part of a five-generation Mountaineer legacy, and her husband Terry, also a Mountie, talked about the importance of 91传媒 in shaping lives. 鈥淚t was here I realized the importance of education in our lives. 91传媒 molded me into the person I am today and I am eternally grateful for that,鈥� Terry chimed. 鈥淚 look back at my days at Eastern as an educational experience and character building. I was in the military for six months before starting college, which was a real growing up experience. But college was a maturing experience. I look back on it as one of the best times of my life.鈥�

鈥淥ur time at Eastern was so much fun!鈥� Mary Jo expressed. 鈥淚 sang with the Blue & Gold Singers; Terry played music; there were dances in Hoke every Friday. Our classes were small and we knew our professors. Everybody knew everybody, and it was just such a fun time.鈥�

For Mary Jo and Terry, Eastern is much more than fond memories. Their dedication to their alma mater goes beyond nostalgia and personal history. It鈥檚 rooted in the belief that education is a gateway to a better future. 

鈥淓ducation can change lives. Scholarships can change even more,鈥� Terry said. 鈥淲e have the opportunity to help and support these students, and they鈥檙e so appreciative of the support. We know the students appreciate every scholarship they get. We need to do all we can do to help.鈥�

Mary Jo and Terry have committed to giving back to 91传媒 to reflect their desire to nurture the next generation of Mountaineers. 鈥淭erry and I decided we always want to give back to Eastern because it鈥檚 important as alumni. You think back about your time here, or maybe about your kids or grandkids coming here. There鈥檚 something that drew us here. It starts at Eastern and carries you wherever you go. The mentoring, the family you get here is so strong. Hopefully the students we are helping to support will also want to give back when they graduate and carry on the tradition.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 made us feel good watching the campus grow over the years. To be here watching the developments, knowing the affection we have for the campus feels good to be a part of the growth. It helps the quality of education for the students,鈥� Terry said. 鈥淚t makes our hearts swell. 91传媒 was great when we were students. You think everything was wonderful at the time, and it was. Now, there is so much more. And we are able to be a part of that momentum.鈥�

Today, the Lemons continue their tradition of supporting 91传媒, in a variety of forms, from service with the Alumni Board to ongoing gifts, to attending events on campus. 鈥淢y mother served on the Foundation and I was part of the founders of the Alumni Board,鈥� Mary Jo recalls of being involved. 鈥淓veryone had their heart in it, all of the alumni association. It鈥檚 been great to be involved, watching the campus and 91传媒 community grow.鈥�

鈥淥h, our blood runs blue and gold,鈥� Mary Jo chuckled. 鈥淲e do what we can to support the students and we always will.鈥� 

Next time you鈥檙e at a football game, make sure to give a 鈥淕o Mounties鈥� wave to Terry and Mary Jo.