Doris Littrell's book covers the ethical and practical aspects of community development using examples of people coming together and working through challenges.

Retired MU faculty members support scholarships through book

Practicing Community Development
The book is a 154-page book of stories and conversations, enhanced by the illustrations of artist Dennis Murphy. Copies are available for $30, plus $7 for shipping, from MU Extension Publications. Missouri residents should add $2.79 sales tax. Order by phone at 800-292-0969 or online.

Doris Littrell and her late husband Don spent 40 years working with people in communities, nurturing the process of community development. Before Don died, they had started a book together about their work in Missouri and around the world. Doris finished the book, Practicing Community Development after Don's death in 2005.

Proceeds from the book, available through MU Extension, will benefit the Doris P. Littrell Scholarship for returning adult students enrolled at the University and the Littrell-Timmons Fund that provides scholarships for citizens to attend the Community Development Academy, which the Littrells helped establish.

Doris, who retired after 10 years as director of MU Direct: Continuing and Distance Education and also worked with adults returning to school at Stephens College, collaborated with her husband as a consultant, teacher and trainer. Based on those experiences, she worked with the University to tailor her financial gifts to Extension for this special population of students who often need a boost to get a career started, or re-started. An endowment from a charitable remainder trust provides the foundation for the scholarships.

"I was a returning student myself once, and I know how much encouragement meant to me along the way," said Doris. "I wanted to share with others to help make the University more accessible to this group, which represents a growing percentage of students."

Because the need is so great in this area, the University is seeking additional funding to expand the endowment.

"Doris' support for these scholarships honors her long involvement, with Don, in Extension, and their faith in the value of helping people learn to control their own future," said Mary Leuci, assistant dean for community development at the University of Missouri. She notes that the Littrells are widely known for their commitment to human rights and advocating for disenfranchised groups, in the United States and abroad. Their leadership, which continued into retirement, was recognized in 2004 with the Faculty Diversity Enhancement Award.

Updated 4/11/07