When Ron Dowden, the man who started the Distance Learning Centre and the Placement Office here at the University visited in July 2009, we did not know that he was suffering from cancer. It seems that one of the things he wanted to do before dying was to visit Strathmore, where he had had such a wonderful time and contributed so much, setting up the two units in early 1990s.

During his visit, Ron was very happy to see how the small Strathmore College he left had become Strathmore University, with so many courses, students and facilities. A year after his visit, we were informed that Ron had passed away. We prayed for the repose of his soul.

A few months later,  the Advancement Office received a letter from Ron’s lawyers saying that Ron had left Strathmore about KShs 320,000 in his will but he left no specific instructions about how the money was to be used. We were delighted to hear the news but then we began to think of how Ron would have liked us to use that money. The obvious thing was to give it as a scholarship, but the problem is that after one year the money would be exhausted, and with it possibly also our fond memories of our benefactor would begin to fade away.

As Ron was a practicing Catholic and he liked to go to Mass every day, we thought that perhaps we can spend the money in something related to the chapel. There will be a new chapel in the new building of the Business School. It was thought that perhaps we could buy something for it.

And so the idea of a chalice, a paten and a pall came about. The ones we bought are very beautiful and will be used on the Thanksgiving Mass on 6^th March, in Strathmore School at 10.00 a.m. That Mass will be celebrated exactly on the day when Strathmore began 50 years ago. Ron will be with us in spirit in that celebration, as we pray that God will continue blessing us abundantly in the next 50 years.

I have a special intention that I would like Ron to talk to God about. It is Strathmore’s dream that someday soon we will have sufficient means through an endowment fund so that we will be able to provide financial assistance to all our bright and needy students. As we have spent this money for the worship and glory of God, I will ask Ron to twist God’s arm a bit (metaphorically speaking) so that he sends us the means to achieve this dream as soon as possible. Please join me in this prayer!

See also: http://www.strathmore.edu/News.php?NewsID=133

By Luis Borrallo, Director of Advancement