Virginia Gent Decker

Dedication

Virginia Gent Decker, life partner and companion to one of Maryland's most legendary and successful corporate leaders, has accompanied her husband around the globe, from the Black and Decker facilities in Australia and New Zealand, to their Eastern Shore farm retreat near Earleville, MD, to the Board dinners and meetings at Washington College. Her life has been at the side of Alonzo G. Decker, Jr., the retired chief executive officer of Black & Decker Corporation who co-chaired Washington College's $43.3 million Campaign for Excellence during the 1980s and who at 90 years of age remained an active and influential member of the Board of Visitors and Governors.

The Deckers, who celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on December 22, 1998, were the lead donors to the Decker Science Center on campus. Their philanthropy also made possible the construction of the Johnson Lifetime Center and provided scholarship aid and support of various academic initiatives. Together, by their example of "the joy of giving," they have tremendously enhanced the character and environment of Washington College.

Virginia Decker has been the consummate wife and hostess, accompanying her husband to countless College functions and welcoming visitors to their Money Point Farm where they enjoy a simple but richly rewarding life. She takes pleasure in the natural landscape of woods and river, and in the bountiful farm and garden harvests. During hunting season, Mrs. Decker is in the kitchen, welcoming guests with hearty hunters' breakfasts. Her graciousness is legendary, her cooking skills impeccable, their peaches are famous, their gardens and the surrounding acreage are beautiful.

In recognition of her long-time support of Washington College, her appreciation of the natural environment, and her devotion to our illustrious honorary Campaign Co-Chair, Washington College is pleased to name its campus arboretum in her honor. When she visits campus in the future, we hope she will enjoy the natural beauty of the tree walk and appreciate other trees "curious and exotic."

Dedication Day, September 19, 1998
Dr. Rosemary Ford, Mrs. Helen Gibson, Mrs. Virginia Decker, Mr. Winslow Long

Return to top