Dudley "Gig" Rowland
Dudley “Gig” Rowland was a very special man. Involved as a YMCA leader for decades, Gig served in a number of leadership roles at the Y as a volunteer. Gig served as YMCA Board President, and on the Y’s Board of Trustees for more than twenty years.
In his career, Gig....
Mr. Rowland, known as Gig, was born in Rome on November 23, 1931, to Dudley Ely Rowland and Hazel Wiggins Rowland. He graduated from Colgate University in 1953, and married Virginia (Ginny) Packer on January 9, 1954. He served in the United States Army before joining the James W. Packer Insurance Agency which later became the Rowland, Bellinger & Comstock Agency and is now Brown & Brown Insurance. At the time of his death, Gig was happily still calling on several of his original clients. One of his proudest achievements was as president of the YMCA he led the merger of the Women's Community Center and the YMCA resulting in what is today the Rome Family Y. Gig made his impact known. He served the Y, leading people of all ages and ability levels and treated each one as if they were his own mission. He was a true “Leader By Example.”
The Gig Rowland Scholarship
Gig’s family helped the Rome Family YMCA create a new fund within the YMCA which will allow YMCA management to annually offer financial assistance to youth in the Rome and surrounding communities who need YMCA programming and membership opportunities but cannot afford them.
The Rome Family YMCA has been in operation since 1872, and currently serves approximately 4,500 members. The Y offers swimming, health and fitness, strength training, group exercise, before and after school care, youth and adult sports, music, and other programming.
Selection Criteria
- YMCA volunteer
- B or above grades
- Candidate will demonstrate leadership, sound character, civic mindedness
- Be involved in school sports, music or school leadership position
- Application with two letters of reference.
The Award
Annually, the YMCA will award two (2) scholarship awards in Dudley “Gig” Rowland’s memory. Youth memberships allow full access to the YMCA facilities and programs.
Nominations
Community members are encouraged to nominate young people, ages 12-18, for the Dudley Rowland Scholarship based on the values listed in this brochure. A one-page essay, highlighting the reasons why a particular young adult successfully represents the values Gig portrayed on a daily basis and two references are all that is required. The YMCA will review each essay individually and select two (2) candidates annually and present the winner with the award. Nominees are encouraged to attend the ceremony.
Rome Family YMCA
301 West Bloomfield Street
Rome, New York 13440
WWW.YMCATRIVALLEY.ORG
315-336-3500
C/O HANK LEO, CEO
Click here for the informational brochure
Supporting the Fund
If you are interested in contributing to the Dudley Rowland Scholarship Fund, a part of the YMCA’s Changing Lives Campaign, please contact us at any time. Your tax-deductible contribution will help youth in our community to become a part of the Y.
In many cases, this might just be the greatest gift you can give a young person. He or she will have access to dozens of programs at the Y, including swimming lessons, youth sports, strength training, before and after school care, music lessons and more. Please see our Program Guide online at www.ymcatrivalley.org or pick one up at our front desk.
