Despite the recent surge of online usage in the form of E-mail, world wide web browsing and internet chat, relatively few of those who use the Internet for both work and play realize that less than 30 percent of Americans are online in one form or another.

Gwen Sherman '80 is trying to change that.

As controller of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sherman is charged with managing the finances for Microsoft CEO/founder Bill Gates' non-profit organization, the largest private foundation in the world.  The foundation's $1.3 billion dollar endowment is designed to address the "digital divide," or the reality that many of our country's citizens do not have access to technology.

"The Foundation is installing computer systems and training librarians in public libraries that serve low-income populations throughout the United States and Canada," says Sherman. "In this way, all citizens can have access to technology and the Internet, regardless of income or education level."

Sherman's role with the Foundation includes establishing appropriate financial controls and policies and implementing financial reporting and budgeting processes. She monitors cash flow, coordinates tax and investment issues with external advisors, and manages the various accounting and payroll responsibilities.

"It's very interesting to be a part of the organization at its early beginnings since I'm getting to help build things from the ground up," says Sherman. "It's a deep joy for me to use my professional training for an organization that has such a valuable mission. That's something I've finally learned about myself -- that I have to work in an area where I'm part of a greater good."

Though working for the world's richest man is fairly impressive, Sherman's story began not in the tech-savvy recesses of Silicon Valley, but in Victoria, Texas.

The daughter of two Southwestern graduates (who also met at SU), Sherman began her education at Victoria College. "My mom had decided to go back to school for a business degree. She had been attending Victoria College and had decided to finish up at Bee County College in Beeville, Texas. So, I helped 'hold down the fort' until she graduated. I went to my classes in the morning, worked in the afternoons, cooked dinner for my family in the evenings, and studied at night. Putting all that together, it made sense to stay at home awhile. "

When her mother returned with her second degree in 1976 (her first was from Southwestern), Sherman decided to follow in her parents' footsteps. Her father was a Phi Delt from John Score's generation (and lived in Mood Hall when it was still a dormitory and the atrium opened to the sky) and her mother sewed curtains for the Lois Perkins Chapel (before stained glass was installed) as a home economics major at SU. Her parents were among the first class to graduate in the chapel. In addition, her father's brother is the husband of A. Frank Smith, Jr.'s sister, Betty Smith. A. Frank Smith, Sr. even married her parents.

"I was attracted by Southwestern's academic program, the small size, the opportunity to learn directly from professors (rather than from graduate students), and the ability to 'know and be known'," says Sherman. "I don't think a big university experience would have been satisfying for me."

As a work-study student under then-director of alumni relations, Marilyn Mock, Sherman helped create the Student Foundation, and served as the group's first president. Sherman and Mock were also responsible for reviving University Sing! after many years on sabbatical.

After graduation, Sherman went to work for various CPA firms in San Antonio and Austin. She eventually became Finance Director for the City of Georgetown before her husband Ben Sherman accepted a computer-related job in Washington. There, Sherman worked as Director of Finance for Seattle's Children's Home and as Financial Planning Manager for the City of Redmond, Washington. In the Spring of 1999, Sherman began her work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Sherman's life isn't all figures and budgets. Back in 1996, she also became the host of a Redmond cable access show - work that continues to this day.

"When the City of Redmond renewed its cable franchise agreement with the local cable company, it received a public access channel," said Sherman. The city wanted to use the channel to cablecast city council meetings, planning commission meetings, etc. to keep the community informed about city business. They also had the idea to start a cable TV magazine show to highlight people and places of interest in Redmond. The cable staff obtained permission for a six-month pilot period to see whether it would work. They didn't have much budget for the pilot project, so didn't have funds to hire a professional actor to host the show. They came to me and asked if I'd be willing to do it. I thought it would be a kick, so I said yes."

Sherman opens and closes each program, interviews guests and introduces various segments. Cablecast in the Redmond area several times a week for one month, the show has won regional and national honors from an organization that evaluates public access programming.

"It has been a blast participating in something that is completely outside my area of expertise," says Sherman. "I've enjoyed learning what it takes to put a show together."

Gwen is no longer involved as host of the Redmond Point-of-View program, as it was too difficult to do that while working in a different city; however, that interest subsequently resulted in her involvement in theatre.  Gwen now serves on the board of directors for Theatre Puget Sound and Next Step Theatre, and she enjoys acting with area amateur organizations.  To date, her favorite role was that of Medea, the wife of Jason of the Argonauts.

In addition to her responsibilities in the Finance area of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gwen also supervises the Grants Inquiry department, which is a team of 3 individuals who receive and respond to the nearly 40,000 yearly communications of people and organizations who seek information about the organization's grant-making programs.  She completed a term as a board member of Washington Literacy, and also serves on the board of directors for Foundation Financial Officers Group, where she chairs a committee that plans educational sessions for the FFOG membership at semi-annual conferences.  She enjoys periodic speaking engagements to CPAs and not-for-profit financial managers.  Gwen was invited by Southwestern to join the inaugural Board of Visitors, and was pleased to be on campus this past September for the inaugural meeting of BOV. 

Ben & Gwen Sherman celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary this year. They have two daughters, Amy and Jenni.  In her free time, Sherman enjoys gardening, snow skiing, and playing the piano. She also loves to dance, exercise, play in the handbell choir, and teach Sunday school at church.