Lawrence Lewis would be proud.

Back in 1971, Lewis, the founder of Flagler College, hand-picked two energetic community leaders, John D. Bailey Sr. and Frank Upchurch Jr., to take seats on the college’s fledgling Board of Trustees. Ten years later, the board welcomed the addition of Lewis’ daughter, Louise Foster. This year the three trustees, who have given a combined 107 years of service and leadership to Flagler, have retired from the board.

It’s a bittersweet transition for all three. Upchurch and Bailey feel the significance of the moment, having dedicated nearly 40 years each to the growth and direction of Flagler. Foster, with nearly 30 years of service and the emotion of strong ties to the college, sees the transition as another chapter in her family’s long marriage to Flagler.

“It’s a jewel of St. Augustine,” she said. “My father loved the college; he saw it as a way to give back to St. Augustine. It’s been very gratifying to continue his vision.”

Though Flagler was founded in 1968, the organization struggled in its first three years. In 1971 Lewis established the Board of Trustees and brought Bailey and Upchurch on to help establish a more viable direction for the school. Together, they recruited Dr. William Proctor, who served as the president for 30 years. Together, they established the direction, the vision, the organization and the trajectory that would propel Flagler on a path of steady growth and continued academic success.

Bailey was a World War II veteran and a seasoned insurance executive when Lewis approached him about taking a seat on the board.

“Lawrence wanted a local board, people who knew the city and would help earn the trust and the support of the community,” Bailey said. “We knew if we could convince the town of the value of the college, we would be able to save these beautiful buildings and create something that would last, something that would give back.

“I believe it’s our duty to do everything we can to improve the town we live in. Flagler College has been such a big part of my life and my personal vision,” he said. He paused a moment, his voice low with emotion. “It’s a little tough, taking a step back.”

Upchurch can relate. Now retired, the attorney, judge and World War II combat veteran’s eyes light up when the conversation turns to one of three topics: his family, his life as an aviator and Flagler College. He, too, finds it hard to let go of his professional tie to the college as a member of the board.

“Lawrence [Lewis] was a great friend. Basically, anything he wanted me to do, I’d do it,” he remembers, laughing. “When he came to me with the proposal for the college, I was immediately on board.”

The growth of the college has been almost miraculous, Upchurch said. “To remember where it was that first day, when the offices and classrooms were just dusty old buildings, when we had so much work ahead of us, and to see where it is today, it’s nothing short of a miracle.

I have known all three of these trustees since I first joined the staff of the college in 1971… I consider them to be outstanding trustees, great community leaders and terrific personal friends. All three will be greatly missed. – William T. Abare, Jr., Ed.D., President

“John [Bailey] and I argue about who’s been on the board the longest,” Upchurch said. “We’re definitely the two who were there in the first days, along with Lawrence and Judge Howell Melton. We’ve seen quite a bit, you could say.”

Foster joined Upchurch and Bailey on the board in 1980 until 1999, and was then reappointed to the board in 2004. The daughter of Lawrence Lewis and the niece of Lewis’ sister, Flagler benefactor Molly Wiley, Foster has fond memories of Flagler College — both before and during its life as a college.

“We used to come to the Ponce when it was still a hotel,” she said. “We spent so much time there — when I was a teenager we’d almost have the run of the place, as it would be nearly empty in the summer. It’s a special, special place. I’m proud that my family was a part of the college’s founding, and so pleased that I was able to serve on the board for as long as I did.”

And the best thing the board has ever achieved? Hands down, according to Upchurch, “The best work we ever did was in selecting two incredible presidents. Bill Proctor and [current president] Bill Abare have made the job of the board an easy thing,” he said.

The vision of the trustees will be maintained in coming years through the works of their children, also members of the Board of Trustees: John D. Bailey Jr.; Mark F. Bailey; Frank D. Upchurch III; and Horace A. “Bo” Gray IV, Foster’s son.

A relative newcomer to the Flagler College community, Babcock was inspired to help support the college after meeting and working with a number of Flagler students employed in the restaurants.

“I have been so impressed with the quality of the students who have become my friends and colleagues,” Babcock said. “They immediately caught my attention, and I started to think about how I could get involved with the college that’s helping to shape them.”

Babcock, a native of New York City, grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, not far from Cleveland, and attended Ohio University. An expansive logistics career took him all over the country, including back to his native New York where he continued to grow his logistics expertise. He established his own distribution company and ultimately transitioned into industrial real estate development.

After a 1979 business transaction brought him south to Jacksonville, Babcock was taken with Northeast Florida and soon made plans to relocate to the area. He and his wife now live in Ponte Vedra’s Marsh Landing.

“I love what this area was back then, and I love what it is today,” he said. But after recently selling his logistics business to his employees and retiring from the industry, Babcock was ready for new initiatives, and his attention turned south to St. Augustine.

“I spend more and more of my time in St. Augustine these days,” he said. “I still love Jacksonville, but as my career has evolved and I have more time to look at new projects, St. Augustine is very appealing to me.”

Today, Babcock works with a few Flagler College students at Opus 39 and The Tasting Room. He says the restaurants offer good employment opportunities for students looking for upscale, local dining establishments where they can work while completing their degrees.

It didn’t take long before Babcock began noticing a trend in the students working in his restaurants: they were positive, smart, polished, professional and industrious, qualities Babcock values as an investor and an entrepreneur.

He connected the dots and quickly credited Flagler College with recruiting and retaining such a high level of student. Then, Babcock began looking into the history of the college and talking with Flagler representatives about getting involved. The plans for his gift fell into place quickly, and it wasn’t long before Babcock felt confident with his pledge of $250,000 in unrestricted funds.

“I like to see resources go to scholarship funds,” he said, “but I feel a great sense of trust with Flagler College, and I know they will use the funds toward whatever need is greatest. It’s up to the college; I’m happy to categorize my support as unrestricted giving.”

Babcock says however his gift is used, he’s convinced of one thing: it will be money well spent in transforming the lives of many, many young people at Flagler College.

“Getting to know the Flagler students I’ve had the pleasure to work with has made me less cynical about tomorrow,” he said. “These are hard-working students, people who have to work to support their educations. I see, in Flagler’s students, how good things are going to be in our future. And I’m proud to support their college in any small way I can.”

On July 16, 1944, 25-year-old Edward “Cos” Cosgrove wasn’t sure he’d make it to 26. The Air Force lieutenant, a bombardier with the 825th Bomb Squadron, had just completed his 34th aerial combat mission, with one more to go. The target was the Tarascon railroad bridge in southern France. The reward — if he could make it — would be a year of non-combat service and an honorable discharge, with all the promise of a full life and career ahead.

He made it.

And that’s a good thing for present and future Flagler College English and business students, not to mention the hundreds of admiring friends, family and colleagues Cosgrove left behind when he died last May at the age of 88. The long-time St. Augustine resident and business leader bequeathed more than $1.1 million to the college for use as scholarships. And though the heft of the gift is striking, it comes as no great surprise to those who knew and loved “Cos,” a man of generous spirit and long-term vision.

Edward John (Kosikowski) Cosgrove was born in Connecticut in 1918. Following his distinguished military career as a bombardier, he came to St. Augustine, where he met his wife, Margery Renton, a high-energy professional who served for a time as a personal secretary to author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. He served as bank president and chairman of Barnett Bank of St. Augustine, and he also became a very active and generous supporter of Flagler College since its inception in 1968.

“Ed was well-respected as a fine banker who served as president of Barnett Bank in St. Augustine for many years,” said Allen Lastinger, former president and chief operating officer of Barnett Bank Jacksonville. “He and his wife, Margery, were world travelers, and they were very cosmopolitan.”

The Margery Renton and Edward J. Cosgrove Endowed Scholarship awards will be made to Flagler College juniors or seniors from St. Johns County, Fla., majoring in business administration or English. Shrewd businessman to the end, Cosgrove was careful to protect the gift’s potential by stipulating that no funds be drawn against it for the first five years in order to ensure the endowment’s continued growth.

Dashing, fun-loving and adventurous, with a sophisticated outlook born of extensive world travel, the Cosgroves were the toast of St. Augustine for many years. Following Margery’s death in 1989, Edward retreated from public life and spent his final years quietly supporting the college and the organizations in which he believed.

His final bequest to Flagler College — one which will help shape the futures of academically-minded students for many years to come — is a testament to the high-flying success of a brave, adventurous and heroic local leader.