West Virginia University Alumna Carole Ross will leave a legacy in the School of Music through an estate gift honoring the devoted faculty she learned under while a student.
A Uniontown native, Ross attended WVU on a Board of Governor’s Scholarship and began classes as a music major concentrating in piano the same year as Herman Godes began teaching at WVU.
“I remember Professor Godes well - he was warm, gracious and charming,” Ross said. “He expected us to be prepared and his lessons truly added depth and dimension to our education.”
Godes encouraged his students to perform often, and created opportunities for them to do so. Each of his students was given a recital opportunity each semester, and Godes often brought his students to social functions throughout the Morgantown community to perform.
“Professor Godes gave of himself to his students,” Ross said. “He was devoted to his profession, and a great role model. He instilled those same values in me.”
After graduating from WVU in 1964, Ross went on to receive her master’s and doctoral degrees in piano from The Juilliard School and Catholic University, respectively. She then spent one year teaching at Shenandoah University before joining the faculty at University of Kansas until retiring in 2000.
When she began thinking about her estate, Ross wanted to contribute to the superior atmosphere in the School of Music.
“There is an incredible amount of opportunity at WVU and its very student-focused,” Ross said. “When we’re students, we don’t realize how many resources are needed at a University of this size. I believe it is our obligation as alumni to give back when we can.”