Giving from the Heart

Gouldin family establishes scholarships in physical therapy and nursing

T. Winston Gouldin (M ’54) and Eleanor Gouldin (N ’53) of Norfolk, Va., have established a commitment to VCU that will provide opportunities for future students while preserving a memory close to their hearts.

The Gouldins recently established a charitable gift annuity through the MCV Foundation, enabling them to provide scholarships that will benefit students in both the School of Allied Health Professions and the School of Nursing. As a result, they will add $100,000 to the existing Cindy Gouldin Scholarship for Physical Therapy in the School of Allied Health Professions and give $50,000 to establish the Eleanor Leach Gouldin Scholarship at the School of Nursing.

The physical therapy scholarship is named in memory of the couple’s daughter, Cindy (AHP ’87), who died at the age of 39 from brain tumor complications. She was a physical therapist and a prolific volunteer known for having a spirit of giving and compassion as well as being passionate about her work.

“When you lose a loved one, it leaves a hole in your heart,” T. Winston Gouldin said. “I think that’s especially true when it comes to children. We've been searching, ever since she died, for ways to honor her.”

“The Gouldins’ scholarship in memory of Cindy keeps her spirit an active part of our Department of Physical Therapy,” said Cecil B. Drain, Ph.D., CRNA, FAAN, FASAHP, dean of the School of Allied Health Professions. “As with all our wonderful scholarships, our faculty continue to assure that the students, especially the recipient students, become completely aware of the person the scholarship was donated in behalf of.

“In this case, Cindy Gouldin and her great work as a physical therapist and as a person will always live on in the hearts of our students. This scholarship will allow opportunities for students that they might otherwise not have been given.”

The nursing scholarship is named in honor of Eleanor Gouldin, who graduated from the School of Nursing in 1953. She taught surgical nursing at MCV for a year and also spent a year teaching at the University of Alabama Medical Center. After the “nest” became empty, Eleanor worked as a nurse at Ocean View Family Practice in Norfolk, Va.

“We are honored that the Gouldins have chosen to invest in our school,” said Nancy Langston, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor and dean of the School of Nursing. “Their commitment to VCU is commendable and demonstrates a very meaningful way that alumni can make a difference at their alma mater. The Eleanor Leach Gouldin Scholarship will benefit future generations of nursing students and serve as a legacy for the Gouldin family.”

The Gouldins have more than 10 family members who can claim VCU as their alma mater. In addition to their late daughter, their other four children all graduated from MCV with degrees in health care. They are Jane Brown (N ’77), Dr. Winston M. Gouldin (P ’98), Catherine Gouldin (M ’85) and Susan Pearson (P ’79).

In addition, Susan’s husband, Barry (P ’79), is an alumnus, as is Dr. Gouldin’s oldest brother, the late John Milton Gouldin III (M ’44), and another brother, Dr. Edmund Gouldin (M ’49). In addition, Dr. Gouldin’s father, Dr. John Milton Gouldin II is also an alumnus, having graduated in 1904.