Dr. Clyde Slocum '28, who died in 1996, had a distinguished career as a high school and college teacher and administrator. He completed a master's degree at the New York State College for Teachers in 1933 and then a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. His wife, Virginia, graduated from Albany in 1933 and thereafter completed a master's degree at Rutgers.

Starting his teaching career at the high school in Cobleskill, Dr. Slocum eventually moved to New Jersey and took on increasing administrative duties as the years passed by. In 1950, he was appointed Superintendent of Schools in Toms River and in 1960 joined the faculty of Monmouth College where he taught and supervised potential teachers. Mrs. Slocum continued to teach for several years in the area. In 1968, they retired to Florida but continued with their professional activities. She on the staff of Lake Sumter Community College and he teaching at the college.

Over the years, the Slocums maintained fond recollections of their years at Albany. They frequently attended college reunions and alumni gatherings in Florida. A tall and impressive man, Dr. Slocum often took the lead at these meetings in the singing of the alma mater and the class songs from the 1920s and 1930s. Nary a meeting passed without the attendees calling to him to lead the group in the warm remembrances that became analumni tradition.

Dr. Slocum's death, last year was, in many ways, the end of an era. But, to perpetuate his legacy and to inspire future students to his level of both achievement and gratitude toward his alma mater, Mrs. Slocum has established the Clyde and Virginia Slocum Endowment, which will provide an annual award to a student in his memory.