Through their gift to the Libraries, Pete and Theresa Dyke support NC State students who are passionate about education

Pete and Theresa Dyke have created a Libraries scholarship fund to honor a great educator’s career and to encourage today’s NC State students to follow in his footsteps.

The Timothy R. Jenney Memorial Libraries Scholarship will annually provide a partial scholarship to a Libraries student worker who is a College of Education undergraduate and, ideally, a first-generation student. The scholarship is part of the Libraries’ continuing efforts to support student success and make their education more affordable. 

Pete and Theresa also see the Libraries as a place where parents can have a voice and influence on campus. Jenney, a career educator, principal, and superintendent of public schools, was Theresa’s father. Pete is a member of the Friends of the Libraries Board and chairs the Libraries’ recently established Parents Advisory Committee. Three of their children have graduated from, or are currently attending, NC State—including a daughter who received a BS in Elementary Education. 

The scholarship fund is a very personal part of the Dykes’ family legacy and builds upon Jenney’s commitment to students over a more than 40-year career and his lifelong belief that education is many children’s best hope. Jenney passed away in 2022.

Dr. Timothy R. Jenney earned a BA from Michigan State University, an MA in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. While he was getting these degrees, Jenney was helping raise a family and working multiple jobs to put himself through school. His commitment wasn’t lost on his daughter Theresa. 

“I learned a whole lot about work ethic, perseverance, and dedication to something that you truly are passionate about—that was my dad. He worked so hard,” says Theresa. “He felt that public education was the great equalizer, to give everybody their chance to earn an education and then see where that can take them. That was always his focus.”

Jenney’s career began as a classroom teacher but, at the age of 26, he was appointed as an elementary school principal. At age 29 he became the youngest superintendent in the state of Michigan. Later, after establishing himself as a seasoned school superintendent, he earned his MBA from the College of William and Mary.

“He made that decision to move out of the classroom and into administration as a force multiplier to impact a larger number of kids,” says Pete. “Not just a classroom of thirty students a year, but 10,000 or 20,000 students across his entire school district.”

The Dykes see their scholarship fund donation as just such a ‘force multiplier.’ If a Jenney Memorial Libraries Scholarship can help an NC State student finish an education degree, then that graduate will go on to teach classrooms full of students or to become an administrator that helps thousands of young people pursue their educational dreams. Jenney was extremely impressed with NC State’s Elementary Education program and saw, through his granddaughter, the quality and readiness of new teachers entering the profession.

“We were both fortunate to have parents who saw the value of education,” Pete says. “And because of our educations, we've been fortunate enough to be in a financial position where we can impact people outside of our direct family and sphere of influence by helping them along their journey—which they might not otherwise be able to complete on their own.”

“That was a big reason why we wanted to focus on first-generation students who, ideally, are focused on an education career. In our minds, that completes the circle that Tim started.”

“As a young child, I watched how hard my dad had to work in order to afford simultaneously raising a family while pursuing his studies. He sacrificed in order to always be on top of his game and do the best he could for both his family and  the students in his district. It shaped who I am,” Theresa says. “And when our middle daughter decided to go into the field of education and become a public school teacher—oh my goodness was my dad so proud.”