History
The Student Leader Endowment Fund originated in 1950 when the senior class left a $500 gift to be used for undergraduate scholarships. Ohio Staters, Inc. administered the scholarship until 1964 when administrative responsibilities were placed under the direction of an elected Board of Directors. In 1963, "The Friends of Beanie Drake" established a student leader scholarship. At the end of Spring Quarter 1967, the two funds were merged into one, known as the Edward S. "Beanie" Drake Student Leader Endowment Fund.
Edward S. Drake
Edward S. Drake, known as "Beanie" by his many friends, gave much of himself to students during his career at Ohio State. Mr. Drake derived his nickname from the fictional hero of the Henry A. Shule series of boy's stories.
Mr. Drake was made an honorary member of all campus men's honoraries, and at one time was an advisor to ten student organizations simultaneously. He served the University for thirty-three years, twenty-five of those as manager of the Ohio Union. His service as an advisor to campus organizations covered more than 50 years. In 1958 Mr. Drake received the University's Distinguished Service Award, in 1963 the Alumni Association's Citizenship Award, and in 1970 a resolution was passed naming the Drake Union in his honor.