This is why a Washburn University alum gave $5M to Washburn University for scholarships

Dick Davidson may have never gone to college if it weren't for a basketball scholarship.

Now he hopes to provide that same opportunity to others.

Washburn alum Davidson and his wife, Trish, donated $5 million to create the Thelma Ann Davidson Memorial Scholarship at Washburn. The scholarship will give financial support for high-performing students with financial need.

It's the largest endowed scholarship Washburn has ever received.

“We are deeply grateful for this incredible gift in support of future generations of Washburn students,” university president JuliAnn Mazachek said in a written statement. “This scholarship will be transformational in making it possible or even more students to achieve their educational dreams at Washburn. Since we met many years ago, Dick and Trish have been steadfast partners in supporting hard-working Washburn students, and we are thankful for their continued commitment to making higher education possible and affordable for all.”

Dick Davidson rose through railroad industry after Washburn education

Davidson grew up on a farm in Alan. After graduating from high school at the age of 18, he attended Washburn and worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He graduated from Washburn in 1966. He continued his career in the railroad industry and retired from Union Pacific Corp. as chief executive officer in 2007.

"I would have never gone into management at the railroad if I hadn't have gotten my college degree there," he said. "So, it just made all the difference in the world for me."

More: This Washburn University student's research in lead detection won international award

Davidson has remained close with the university since he graduated.

“As I’ve gotten to know Dick and Trish, their incredible story of coming from rural Kansas, working hard and achieving success has been truly inspiring,” alumni association president Marshall Meek said in a written statement. “Their dedication to giving back to other students like them will motivate many students to work hard in the future. Washburn is thankful to them for all they continue to do for students.”

This is the second record-breaking donation the Davidsons have made over the past 15 years. In 2009, they made the largest single donation Washburn had ever received at that time. The $5 million donation was used for professorships, chairs and scholarships in the School of Business.

Unlike the previous donation, the new scholarship will benefit students from any academic field.

"I'm glad we could help and I hope that it improves the lives for a lot of young people," Davidson said.

More: This family has been named Washburn University's first-generation family of the year

Here's who Davidsons honored in naming Washburn scholarship fund

Davidson said he wanted to create a scholarship that would help others like him and memorialize his mother, Thelma Ann Davidson.

"She always encouraged me to go to college, and she was a registered nurse," Davidson said. "She had gone on to school herself after she got out of high school. So, she knew the value of an education."

The fund will continue to generate money and scholarships will be given out in the next year or two.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn University alum Dick Davidson gives $5M for scholarships