Peter and Phyllis Pruden of Suffolk, Va., have made a $100,000 gift to establish the Peter and Phyllis Pruden in memory of Judith Pruden Endowed Scholarship at Elon University. The scholarship honors the memory of Judith Brothers Pruden, and will provide financial assistance for one or more deserving students at the university.
Students will be awarded the Pruden scholarship on the basis of financial need, academic qualification and moral character. The scholarship is designated for students who will pursue studies in business administration.
Peter Pruden attended Elon for one year in 1938 before leaving to work at Pruden Packing, a family business founded by his father. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He served on the board of directors of the Obici Memorial Hospital in Suffolk, is a past member of the vestry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and serves on the board of the Pruden Foundation.
Phyllis Pruden, a native of Rutherfordton, N.C., and graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was a teacher in the Suffolk public school district and is a past member of the Virginia Education Association. She serves on the advisory board of the Suffolk News Herald and is a past member of the Suffolk Art League board. The Prudens also serve as honorary members of the board of the Suffolk Cultural Art Center.
“This is a meaningful way to be certain that our resources will benefit others and perpetuate our values,” Peter Pruden says. “We feel it is important to share and to give back to those who are less fortunate than we are, especially students.”