Harry E. Bovay, Jr. has been building bridges, literally and figuratively, his entire life.
The Bridge Builder
By Will Allen Dromgoole
“An old man, going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim, near,
“You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide-
Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head:
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followeth after me today,
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”
Harry E. Bovay, Jr.
Sept. 4, 1914 – May 24, 2011
The Vicksburg, Mississippi bridge was built by Harry E. Bovay, Sr. in the 1930s.
The Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation has been created to encourage revitalization opportunities through education and community grants in Millport and Kennedy, Alabama; Fairmount, Georgia; North Lyon County, Kansas; Guntown, Houlka, Rienzi and Tishomingo, Mississippi. As the founder of Mid South Telecommunications, Inc., it was Mr. Bovay’s aspiration to give back to the communities that made a lasting impression on him while working within them.
As a life-long Scout, Mr. Bovay supported the Boy Scouts of America through regular volunteerism and philanthropy. The Bovay Foundation has continued his legacy of support with financial contributions to various entities within the Boy Scouts of America.
The Foundation has also supported medical research through grants provided to health science research institutions.
College Scholarships
Educator Grants
Community Grants
The Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation offers college scholarships to students from specific counties and high schools in Alabama, Kansas and Mississippi.
The Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation is offering Educator Grants to be used for the professional development of public school educators.
Community Grants will be awarded on a case-by-case basis in specific communities for projects benefitting area residents.