Inspiring Stories
Honoring Teachers and Nurses Who Made a Difference
For Anthony W. “Tony” O’Leary, ’72, MPA ’76, the path to college was not always clear. After losing his mother, his teachers helped him imagine a different future. “My mother passed away just as I was starting high school,” Tony said. “I had a couple of teachers at the high school level that ke…
From Coach to Champion: Investing in Future Accounting Professionals
“Life is about people. It has no meaning except for its effect on others.” Professor emeritus of accounting Donald “Don” McFall, MSA ’91, embodies this approach to life, focusing on ways he can connect with and make a difference for others. He retired from 91ֿ in 2012 after 28…
Legacies Change Lives: Sebastian Van Hauter
Sebastian Van Hauter is a junior history major from Akron, Ohio, who is expected to graduate in 2028. He was recently awarded the Dr. Thomas H. Smith Endowed Scholarship, which is helping him study at the American University in Bulgaria. “Receiving this scholarship helped me cover my tuition an…
Turn Your RMD Into a Gift That Makes a Difference
For many retirees, taking a required minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRAis simply part of managing retirement income. But if you are age 70½ or older and are charitably inclined, you may be able to turn all or part of your RMD into meaningful support for 91ֿ through a Qualified Charitable …
Betting on the Next Generation of 91ֿ Students
When Jason Zygadlo, ’02, sat down with his family to make a will, he knew he wanted to include a planned gift to support 91ֿ students as part of his estate plan. “When I was a student, I was always worried about money,” Jason said. “If I can help offset those costs for a…
Legacies Change Lives: Emma Troyer
Emma Troyer is a senior music education major from Sandusky, Ohio. As a student in the 91ֿ Glauser School of Music, she has found a strong sense of community while preparing for a career in music education.“91ֿ was always my top school, but I didn’t know if I could afford to come here,…
What the 2026 Tax Law Changes Mean for Planned Giving
As you consider your long-term philanthropic goals, changes in federal tax law beginning in 2026 may influence how you structure your charitable giving. If you’re thinking of including 91ֿ in your estate or financial plans, understanding these updates can help you maximize both your impact an…
Strengthening the Bonds Between 91ֿ and the Community Through Scholarships
Community is important to Timothy “Tim” Crock, and as a lifelong resident of Kent, Ohio, he wants to help Kent area students advance their education right here at home, empowering them to achieve and build their careers in their own community.“You develop ties to the place you go to college,” Tim ex…
Couple Channels Their Love of Science and Technology Into Their Legacy
Ronald R. “Ron,” ’88, and Mary L. Rivett, ’72, MS ’84, had a mutual love of science and computers. Although they were both from the same town in Northeast Ohio and attended the same high school, they didn’t get to know each other until a chance encounter in 1971 when she was student teaching. When R…
High School Sweethearts Leave a Legacy Through Philanthropy
Although they were born in the same month at the same hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, James C. “Jim” Schrum, ’74, and his wife, Cynthia J. “Cindi” Schrum, didn’t meet until they were both students at Austintown Fitch High School. They started dating in the late 1960s and have been together ever since.…
