John C. Robertson and Flora S. White
man Memorial Scholarship Fund (2013)
Loretta Whiteman Robertson (picture on left) lived in Cuba, NY and worked as a marching band teacher at Hinsdale Central School. Her life was devoted to her students, her family and her community.
Loretta passed away in 1972 and in her will provided a scholarship fund. Local attorney, Wesley Serra was the trustee and executor of that will until his death in 1979. At that time Anne Serra, wife of Wesley Serra became the voluntary administrator of the will. Her desire was to carry out the wishes of her good friend, Lorretta Whiteman Robertson. In 2012, Anne then petitioned for relief of the management of the trust.
In 2012, Terri L. Ross, Allegany County Treasurer was assigned the role of trustee by the Honorable Terrence M. Parker. Upon the completion of the administration of the trust, the trust shall be terminated and the assets distributed to the Allegany County Area Foundation, Inc. to be administered in perpetuity as the John C. Robertson and Flora S. Whiteman Scholarship Fund as directed by the will of Loretta Whiteman Robertson.
Terri Ross advised Carolyn Miller, president Board of Directors of the ACAD, in December 2012 that the Foundation would be receiving custody of the scholarship trust. Terri presented Carolyn Miller and Warren Emerson, development chair of the Board of Directors a check for $44,000.00 on December 18, 2012. Several guests attended the celebratory luncheon at the Fountain Bistro in Belmont, NY. Guests included: Anne Serra, and Duff Serra as well as representatives from the Allegany County Area Foundation.
The John C. Robertson and Flora S. Whitman Memorial Scholarship Fund provides for qualified students from the Cuba-Rushford School District who are pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree and are enrolled beyond their freshmen year. College sophomores, juniors, and seniors shall be eligible for awards. Preference is given to those students studying conversation, ecology, and allied fields. The award also considers the scholastic record of the student, the character of the individual to the intelligence of the individual; the student must be a candidate for a bachelor’s degree. In addition, no candidate shall receive an award more than three successive years and a recommendation of the administrator of the Cuba School District is preferred.
In the picture: Terri Ross, County treasurer, presents a check for the Robertson-Whiteman fund to Warren Emerson, board development chair and Carolyn Miller, board president.
