Birmingham Couple Pinches Pennies to Endow Scholarships and Make a Difference

Ron Howard and his wife Elizabeth have funded $20,000 scholarship endowments that support education students at the University of Alabama, Ron's alma mater.

They have also endowed a $10,000 scholarship fund at the University of Mississippi and Samford University, , the Howards are midway toward funding a $15,000 scholarship endowment where Elizabeth received her education degree and master's degree, respectively.

"I'm basically poor," he says, turning his empty pockets inside out. "I drive a 1987 Dodge Diplomat. We live in a three-bedroom split level. I don't buy a lot of clothes and stuff. I'd rather put my money in this. I want to make a difference."

To learn how this couple managed to accomplish so much on his $55,000 salary from Bell South and her salary as a teacher, read the article written by the Birmingham News in 2005.