The Curtises Establish a $375,000 Scholarship

Point Loma Nazarene University received a generous bequest from the estate of Cecil Rhodes Curtis and Elizabeth Rupp Curtis to establish a memorial endowed scholarship.

Cecil, a highly respected architect in the Pasadena, California, designed residential, school, church and commercial buildings. In later years he also became an active realtor.

Elizabeth began working in banking out of college and continued taking courses in Banking Operations and Business Law. In 1947 she opened her own business in real estate, finance and insurance. It eventually became "The Curtis Company" realtors.

Elizabeth served as Sunday school teacher, church secretary, treasurer and chairman of the board of stewards in the Central Church of the Nazarene as well as Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene. Their trust included a gift to Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene.

The Curtises loved young people and were committed to working with youth as sponsors and teachers. They embraced the students of then Pasadena College, now Point Loma Nazarene University.

Their bequest has endowed the "Cecil Rhodes Curtis and Elizabeth Rupp Curtis Memorial Endowed Scholarship." It will provide assistance to average, as well as gifted students with financial need with special preference given to students whose parents are missionaries or in the pastorate.

Dorothy Sonday, niece and trustee of their Living Trust, upon receiving the scholarship recognition plaque, stated, "Aunt Elizabeth would be so happy to know this was completed."

Remembering PLNU in your will or trust is a way to leave a legacy in Christian education. For more information on estate planning, please contact the Office of University Advancement at [email protected] or 619-849-2302.