As we close the chapter on ’24 Then and Now, a year-long journey through UVM’s rich history over the past 100 years, we end with a story that perfectly captures the power of one person's legacy.

It’s the story of Dorothy Mayo Harvey, Class of 1925.

Her connection to UVM began long before she stepped onto campus. One-hundred years later, it continues. Thanks to her generosity, Dorothy continues to shape the lives of UVM students.

A Legacy Rooted in Family

Dorothy was born into a UVM family. Her father, Erwin Harvey -- who served as Vermont's Tax Commissioner for twenty years -- graduated in 1896. Her uncle, John Harvey, graduated with the Class of 1902.

By the time Dorothy arrived on campus, UVM was already deeply woven into the fabric of her life. Like so many students before and after her, she documented her time at UVM in a scrapbook -- filled with mementos that captured the friendships, milestones, and everyday moments that made her years in Burlington special.

While at UVM, Dorothy pursued many interests.

She majored in Literary Scientific, busied herself with Kappa Alpha Theta activities, lived in Grasse Mount, and engaged in a number of extracurriculars.

These centered on her literary (Cynic Board, Ariel Editor; Julia Spear Prize Reading; Literary Club), dramatic (Masque and Sandal Manager), and community-building interests (Young Women's Christian Association; Student Union Program Chairman).

Lifelong Connection to UVM

Dorothy's love for UVM didn’t end with graduation.

She went on to graduate school, built a career as a college professor, and stayed engaged as an alumna for decades. She attended reunions, compiled her family’s history at the university, and made small but consistent contributions to UVM over the years.

Then, in 1983—58 years after she graduated - Dorothy made a decision that would ensure her connection to UVM lived on long after she was gone.

She established the Erwin and John Harvey Memorial Scholarship with a pledge of $10,000, honoring the family members who came before her. Twelve years later, when she passed away in 1995, her commitment to UVM continued: she left a generous bequest of more than $50,000 to grow her scholarship and support future students.

Dorothy’s story is a testament to the lasting power of small acts of generosity. She didn’t know who would receive her scholarship or how it would shape their lives. But she believed in the importance of giving back, and that belief has made all the difference.

Impact on Future Generations

One of the students whose life Dorothy has touched is Samantha Watson, Class of 2023.

Samantha is just one of dozens of students who have benefited from the Erwin and John Harvey Memorial Scholarship since the 1980s.

When she learned that her scholarship had been established by someone who graduated 100 years before her, she was deeply moved.

She spoke about how much it meant to receive support from someone she would never meet - someone whose kindness and loyalty to UVM made her own education possible.

Another connection? Like Dorothy, Samantha majored in English.

She reflects on Dorothy's legacy, and shares that if Dorothy were here right now, she'd want to take a stroll with her on the green and talk about their favorite books.

Dorothy could never have imagined Samantha’s story when she first made her gift, but that’s the beauty of legacy. A single act of generosity can ripple forward, touching lives in ways we can’t predict.

Her scholarship, created with a modest pledge decades ago, continues to open doors and create opportunities for UVM students today.

The Enduring Power of Those Who Came Before Us

As ’24 Then and Now comes to an end, Dorothy’s story offers the perfect bookend to this project - a reminder that history isn’t just something we study; it’s something we create. Alumni like Dorothy Mayo Harvey built the foundation of UVM’s legacy, and alumni to this day are ensuring that the legacy of this 230+ year old university continues.

Thank you for following along with ’24 Then and Now.

And thank you, as always, for being part of the UVM story.