Jane and Will Hatcher

In 2000, Jane (B.F.A.’68) and Robert “Will” (M.S.W.’69) Hatcher created two endowed scholarships at the Virginia Commonwealth University: one in the School of the Arts, where Jane earned her degree, and one in the School of Social Work, where Will earned his. Over the years, the couple has given more than $100,000 to the Hatcher Merit Scholarships.

“Social work and the arts share some of the same core values,” explains Jane, who majored in art education and taught middle and high school art after graduation. “Both fields encourage freedom of expression and finding unity in diversity.”

Will, who applied his social work background to a career in mental health, agrees.

“Both disciplines serve to increase our understanding of the human experience, whether that’s through art exhibits, music or working with people struggling through challenging circumstances,” he says.

Without financial assistance, Will says, his career goals would have been hard to realize, so providing such an opportunity to other students is important to him.

“I received a scholarship from the South Carolina Mental Health Department, and it made a big difference,” he says; he worked in the South Carolina State Hospital’s adult psychiatric ward and in a special unit for children after he graduated from VCU. “Receiving that kind of support made it possible for me to complete my education, and I know my educational and professional experiences would not have been the same without it.”