Philanthropic Investments

Fran Polk spent 11 semesters as a student at York College, enrolled in Art courses including painting, drawing and jewelry, and one course in investing. Her intent was not to earn another bachelor’s degree—she had a Fine Arts in Education degree from Carnegie Mellon University—but rather to simply learn.

“I spent two entire days each week working in the art studios, which gave me time to talk with students,” she said. “I was so impressed with them, so encouraged by their work. As an art educator, I often asked questions on their behalf, when I heard them discussing things they did not understand. I loved it.”

Polk grew up in York and was “always aware of the campus” as she rode her bike past the Outdoor Country Club, located on the land where York College is currently situated, and then later as she watched the campus grow. Eventually, she found herself “tuned into the background as an educator.”

Throughout their time together, the couple also generously supported York College. In 2010 and 2011, respectively, David and Fran each established a Charitable Gift Annuity with the College. (A charitable gift annuity is a contract between a donor and a charity with the following terms: As a donor, you make a sizable gift to charity using cash, securities, or possibly other assets. In return, you become eligible to take a partial tax deduction for your donation, plus you receive a fixed stream of income from the charity for the rest of your life.)

In 2016, Dr. David Polk, Professor of Behavioral Sciences Emeritus, passed away at the age of 68 after 35 years of marriage to Fran. To honor her husband, she established The Dr. David T. Polk and Frances M. Polk Scholarship Fund at York College. The Scholarship Fund provides financial support to undergraduate junior or senior students who demonstrate financial need and have earned at minimum a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Preference is given first to students who are majoring in Sociology, followed by students majoring in Fine Arts.

Polk taught art at two school districts after college, including the School District of the City of York, but her desire to teach surfaced at a much younger age. At 14, she volunteered for the YWCA’s aquatics program; at 16, she was a counselor for the YWCA’s camp; and later, she served two summers as program director there. “My mom was very involved with the YWCA,” she said. “Watching her serve and then later serving myself, that’s what taught me to be charitable, to volunteer and teach.”

Polk’s relationship with York College grew significantly when she met David Polk, a faculty member, in 1979 on a blind date. At the time, she had left education after losing her teaching position due to budget cuts and was working at the Pfaltzgraff Company. The two shared a love of education, and she enjoyed “listening and watching David teach. He was so smart about drawing people out, because he saw the value of people, of all people. He loved teaching.”

Fran and David also shared a desire to serve their community. David was active on the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, York Literacy Council, York Arts, United Way Youth Services, and the York County Heritage Trust. Fran served as board president of YorkArts (now Creative York), PA Arts Experience, Junior League of York and the Sustainers of the Junior League of York, and as board chair for the York County History Center. She was also a board member of the York Cultural Alliance, Children’s Home of York, Explore York, and York Art Association.

Fran wanted to support students who showed potential and commitment but may not be at the top of their class or hold a 4.0 GPA. She wanted to recognize students who were putting in the work, just as her husband had done. “David had worked his way through college,” she said. “I wanted to support the student who maintained a B average. That was a good indication to me that this student was going to go out and do something.”

York College received nearly 40 memorial gifts to the Polk Scholarship Fund from friends of the Polks, as well as members of the campus community and former students of David Polk.

After 2016, Fran Polk contributed to the College for six consecutive years. Her support included gifts to the Polk Scholarship, the Annual Fund, and the Alumni Golf Outing, as well as a planned gift remembering York in her will. All of these are included as part of the EVOLVE Campaign, which concludes in 2022. Fran also gave of her time as a member of the Campaign Cabinet.

What’s next for Fran and York College? “I’d love to spend the rest of my life living on campus,” she said. “I want to be there for everything.”