CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Board of Trustees February 21, 2020 ACTION – Naming of Samuelson East Atrium the “Dale and Mary Jo Comstock Commons” CWUP 2-10-080 sets forth the policy for the naming of all permanent physical facilities of CWU, for the purpose of commemorating persons, for administrative description, and for temporary or working use. The procedure applies to interior spaces of structures as well as exterior spaces. The naming authority for major facilities in recognition of a benefactor lies with the Board of Trustees. Dale R. Comstock, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Central Washington University, graduated from CWU in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and minors in Physics and Geography. On completing a PhD in Mathematics at Oregon State University in 1964, Dr. Comstock returned to CWU as Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Director of the Computer Center. In 1970, Dr. Comstock became the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, continuing in that position until 1990. In 1996, Dr. Comstock retired from the university as an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics. Dr. Comstock’s wife, the late Mary Jo (Lien) Comstock, graduated from CWU in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies. The Comstock’s were married in 1956. During her years in Ellensburg, Mrs. Comstock worked for the Department of Social and Health Services, before coming to work at CWU. During 12 years of service she provided administrative support for deans in the then-College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. She retired from the position of senior secretary to the Dean of Arts and Humanities on May 16, 1997 and her excellent service recognized with the Distringuished Civil Servant award on June 13, 1997. Dale Comstock has signed a $200,000 gift agreement naming in perpetuity the eastern foyer of Samuelson Hall as the “Dale and Mary Jo Comstock Commons.” His gift will support the Dale and Mary Jo Comstock Endowment, which established the Dale and Mary Jo Comstock Mathematics Scholarship; the Dale and Mary Jo Comstock Master’s Distinguished Thesis Award; and research and scholarship of mathematics faculty. The foyer is one of the busiest spaces on the Ellensburg campus, situated in the ground-floor of Samuelson Hall, which houses the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science, among others. The lobby will display Dale and Mary Jo Comstock Commons on the overhead wall in the lobby, and a plaque bearing the likenesses of the Comstocks will be installed in the Commons. Commemorative displays include a timeline of the history of mathematics on a hallway wall nearby the Math Department. CWU gratefully acknowledges the life of service Dale Comstock has led at the university and in the Ellensburg community, and his substantial charitable giving for the past 55 years.
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