Anyone that has been to the Missouri State University campus in Springfield in the past five decades has probably stumbled upon the name Pummill somewhere along the way. A building erected south of Carrington Hall in 1957, which was first known as the New Classroom Building, was renamed Pummill Hall 44 years ago.
The facility was named in 1967 after Dr. Lawrence E. Pummill, who served as the Head of the Mathematics Department at Missouri State University for 35 years starting in 1920. Dr. Pummill, originally from central Missouri, returned to the southwest region of the state to serve as the superintendent for the Crane, Seymour, and Greenfield School Districts after attaining his masters and doctorate degrees. It was while serving in Crane that Dr. Pummill met and married his wife Crystal, who went on to study at and produce works for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Both Lawrence and Crystal Pummill were strong supporters of young people, education and Missouri State University, and many credit them with impacting countless lives while on campus and helping to obtain funds for the first athletics dormitory at Missouri State.
To commemorate the Pummills’ commitment to education and particularly Lawrence’s passion for mathematics, the Pummills’ children established and endowed the Lawrence E. and Crystal Pummill Scholarship in 1982. Since its establishment nearly 30 years ago, the scholarship, which benefits exceptional incoming freshman and current mathematics majors with a demonstrated interest in teaching, has assisted nearly 70 students in pursuing their education at Missouri State University.
Mr. Arch E. Pummill, the nephew of Lawrence and Crystal, was also deeply impacted by his uncle and aunt’s passion for Missouri State University. Their connection to Missouri State brought Arch to campus where he would meet his future wife, Gertrude, a 1941 graduate. Arch, who worked at Southwestern Bell and AT&T for over 40 years, and Gertrude, who was a teacher, spent most of their lives in Springfield and Arch has been able to see his uncle and aunt’s legacy shape student experiences for decades.
This year, Arch Pummill took steps to ensure the Pummill legacy lives on at Missouri State. Over the summer he contributed a significant gift of securities to the Lawrence E. and Crystal Pummill Scholarship, more than tripling its endowment. This gift will ensure that the Pummill Scholarship continues to change lives every year and grows to impact even more students annually. Thanks to gifts from Arch and others, Lawrence and Crystal Pummill will continue molding futures for bright young minds at Missouri State University for generations to come.
Give to the Pummill or other math scholarships:
- Click here to contribute to mathematics scholarships
Learn more about supporting Missouri State University through gifts of stocks and securities:
- Click here for information on gifts of stocks and securities
Leave a Reply