Pioneering female doctor plans to give CNU $1M - Dr. Sarah Forbes will give the money for merit scholarships

The first woman in Newport News to start her own obstetrics and gynecology practice has agreed to donate $1 million to Christopher Newport University over the next several years.

Dr. Sarah Forbes will give the money to the merit scholarship challenge campaign for CNU's top students.

The donation will be matched dollar for dollar with other donations to the scholarship program over the next five years. That could boost the scholarship fund to $2 million.

"It serves to secure more effectively and efficiently a future for young people in the city and the state," Forbes said Thursday.

She said she chose to give the money to CNU because of how it has been transformed into a school of rising academic and cultural prominence under President Paul Trible.

"It's shown the ability to improve the quality of life for the communities," Forbes said. "I'm hoping that through his (Trible's) efforts, it continues to grow and continues to serve our young people because they are our future." A graduate of the University of Rochester, Forbes received academic scholarships while in college. However, she said, "in my day it didn't cost like it does today."

She earned a medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1954 and has been in private practice in obstetrics and gynecology since 1958. Her office is affiliated with Riverside Regional Medical Center.

Forbes, who said she's in her late 70s, said the money she's providing comes from her practice and investments.

In a statement, Trible said the donation allows CNU to better compete in recruiting top students. For the 2006-

07 school year, CNU will award 11 merit scholarships totaling $25,000.