Susan and Tom Dolbert believe in education. They believe in its value, and they believe in what it can help to attain in life. With that in mind, it should be no surprise the Dolberts have endowed the fourth high school in the ASU Alumni Association Medallion of Merit Scholarship Program.

The Dolberts' gift will fund a $1,000-a-year scholarship to Phoenix Central High School, Susan's alma mater.

"I like the whole idea of the Medallion of Merit program," said Susan, president and executive director of the Alumni Association. "It recognizes the most well-rounded and outstanding junior from every Arizona high school, and I like the fact it covers Arizona from Page to Douglas, and from Yuma to Window Rock."

Susan holds three degrees from ASU. She earned her bachelor's in 1974 in political science -- Latin American studies graduating Phi Beta Kappa. In 1980 she earned her master's in communication, and in 1994 her doctoral degree in public administration.

"I had a strong academic experience at Central High," she said, "and a couple of great teachers who prepared me well for college. I want to support our future leaders for the state of Arizona, and I want those students at ASU."

She was inspired by her mother who earned her college degree in the late 1930s. Susan's older sister, Mary Ellen, went to ASU and earned her bachelor's in education in 1972; her younger sister, Nancy, was graduated from ASU in 1978, earning a bachelor's in communications; and her brother, Doug, received his master's in counseling from ASU and is currently working on his doctorate at Northern Arizona University.

"Both Susan and I have worked hard all our lives," said Tom, General Manager of Coulter Motor Co. in Tempe. "We've been fortunate to have a moderate amount of success. We are not owners of anything, we simply get up every morning and go to work.

"We believe higher education is a must in today's world. So when this opportunity came up, I knew how she felt and she knew how I felt. This was very much the right thing to do."

Even though Tom is not an ASU alumnus, Susan said he was very supportive of this endowment.

"He has a huge heart," she said.

Tom Dolbert and Susan Clouse Dolbert '74, '80 M.A., '94 Ph.D.