New Fountain Graces Mary Frances Garden

President Chris A. Wood, right, presents the Senators Community Service Award to Dave Cutlip ’77. The Senators Community Service Award is presented to an alumna or alumnus in recognition of service to the community which resulted in significant impact. After moving to Elkins in 2014, Cutlip began volunteering his time to the College as an interviewer for student scholarships and career sessions. In 2018, he was named to the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees. He now serves as Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Property Sub-Committee, a member of the Business and Finance Committee, and Trustees and Honors Committee. His academic and professional background have proven to be assets in this service. With a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, and earth and environmental sciences, Cutlip spent 32 years in an executive position with DLZ Corporation, an engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firm based in central Ohio. He has also worked for the Ohio Division of Natural Resources. Cutlip shares those talents with the Randolph County community as well, and received recognition for his endeavors. He has been active as a Board member and past president for Elkins Main Street, Inc.; serves on the Board of Directors for a WV-based engineering services firm; and is a consultant to the Randolph County Housing Authority, the Woodlands Development Group, and the City of Elkins. He also has worked with the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber’s project for building a vibrant Elkins and Randolph County. Last year, Cutlip and his wife, Patricia Mayes, received the 2020 ElkinsRandolph County Chamber’s Citizens of the Year Award for Dave’s work with Elkins Main Street and Pat’s work with the Emma Scott Garden Club. “I’ve had a good life, all in all, and it is because of D&E,” Cutlip said.

The circular Mary Frances Garden stands as testament to the late Ralph and Mary Frances Shepler who gave Halliehurst a second chance. A welcoming site to all who pass by or enter the mansion, the garden now has a new feature – a nearly 8-foot-tall water fountain. Constructed in the 1980s, the garden is planted with flowers each season thanks to an endowment established by the Shepler family to ensure the area is well maintained. Short evergreens that anchored the center had outgrown their space, leaving the garden in need of a makeover. A fountain seemed to be the natural choice to add to the beauty of the landscape. “The fountain is such a complement to Halliehurst and to the beautiful Mary Frances Garden,” said Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood. “It has already become a daily photo spot for prospective students and a gathering spot for our current students. The sound of the water is the perfect invitation to pause and enjoy the lovely surroundings Ralph and Mary Frances Shepler envisioned.” The 2,200-pound three-tiered concrete fountain was installed by a team from D&E’s National Management maintenance staff. The color and design were selected to complement Halliehurst’s architecture. “My parents would be extremely pleased by the addition of the fountain to enhance the beauty of the garden,” Steve Shepler said. Both Ralph and Mary Frances Shepler served on the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees. The College and Halliehurst were near and dear to their hearts. The historic home of one of the College’s founders U.S. Senator Stephen Benton Elkins was in disrepair for several years and in 1984 its future hung in the balance. “The general consensus of the Board of Trustees during their fall meeting that year was that Halliehurst should be torn down. But I knew it would be a sin to tear this lovely old building down,” Mary Frances is quoted as saying in the Summer 1991 issue of Forward. The Board gave her permission to launch a fundraising campaign with a goal of $100,000. At the end of two months, $65,000 had been donated. She requested and was granted an extension to raise additional funds. By January 1985, the goal had been reached and by spring, the total exceeded $150,000. When more funds were needed to continue with restoration of the building, Ralph Shepler gave trustees and friends of the College 36 days to match a $49,000 challenge grant. The amount of the challenge represented $1,000 for each of the Sheplers’ 49 years of marriage, which they celebrated on Oct. 24, 1990. The goal had been exceeded by $13,000. The building was completely restored in the 1990s. The Sheplers were honored with the College’s Gordan Hermanson Service Award and in 1992 received the West Virginia Philanthropist of the Year award for their work in restoring Halliehurst. The couple also established the endowed Mary Frances & Ralph Shepler Scholarship for Randolph County students attending D&E. In addition to their work with D&E, the couple also served the Elkins community as business owners and on various boards. In 1950, they established C.C. Keys Music Company and in 1952 brought cable television to Randolph County, which was among the first cable systems in the nation. Ralph Shepler also served three terms as mayor of Elkins.