KEYSER, W.Va. — Future students at West Virginia University Potomac State College will benefit from a $310,000 planned gift that provides flexible funding to meet emerging needs.
Alumnus Harry W. Porter III and his wife, Rebecca Franklin-Porter, established a trust that left unrestricted funds to PSC upon their passing. Their gift provides discretionary funding for PSC President Jerry Wallace to address the College’s greatest needs.
“WVU Potomac State College has a rich history of donors who care about the college and want to preserve the culture of community on campus,” PSC President Jerry Wallace said. “This gift will help expand our programs and support for PSC employees and students to get involved on campus and in our local communities.”
A native of Washington, D.C., Harry Porter graduated from PSC in 1959 and continued his education at the WVU Morgantown campus, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1961. He also attended the WVU College of Law.
Post-graduation, Harry served in the U.S. Army before joining the FBI for 25 years. He served the agency as a special agent and unit chief, working in Detroit, New York City, Chicago, Houston and Washington, D.C., before he retired in 1990.
After leaving the FBI, Porter was appointed deputy assistant secretary of state and served as deputy director of the U.S. Office of Foreign Missions. He also served as assistant secretary of state on several occasions.
Harry died Feb. 18, 2014, of complications from a fall at home. He was 74.
Harry and Becky met when she was working as a secretary for the FBI and married in August 1978.
Becky served as an operations officer in the intelligence community and as an analyst with the U.S. Air Force before leaving government service in 1998. She later worked for Booz Allen Hamilton and ManTech until her retirement.
The Porters were married for 35 years. They enjoyed traveling the world together, visiting their cabin in Pennsylvania, playing golf and spending time with their cats.
Becky died 10 years after her husband, on Sept. 19, 2024. She was 67. Additional funds to benefit PSC are expected as her estate is settled.
“Harry and Becky Porter’s generous gift is a testament to their commitment to helping West Virginia University Potomac State College students succeed,” Sabrina Cave, president of the PSC Alumni Association, said. “This gift will allow President Wallace the ability to identify the College’s greatest needs. I am so thankful for alumni and donors like Harry and Becky.”
The Porters first established a living trust to benefit PSC in 2002. A trust is one way of many planned giving options available to supporters of PSC and WVU who want to recognize the role of higher education in their lives with a gift.
“Harry and Becky Porter’s generosity is both humbling and transformational for our campus community,” PSC Director of Development Megan Webb said. “Their unrestricted planned gift allows President Wallace to meet the College’s greatest needs — not just today, but well into the future. This kind of flexible support creates a ripple effect that will touch every corner of PSC, from classrooms and labs to student life programs, ensuring that current and future Catamounts have opportunities to thrive. We are profoundly grateful for the Porters’ vision and their deep belief in the power of education to change lives."
Gifts to PSC are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliates. Alumni and donors interested in exploring planned gift options to benefit PSC can contact Megan Webb at mwebb9@mail.wvu.edu.
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