Inspiring Stories
Making the World Forever Brighter: Paying it Forward by Supporting Student Success
Joyce A. Baugh, M.A. ’83, Ph.D. ’89 and husband, Roger Hatch, Ph.D., were grateful to discover a way they could honor former 91ֿ professors while helping ensure students have access to a 91ֿ education, regardless of their financial situation. Joyce’s path to 91ֿ was an intere…
An Ensemble of Philanthropy
“If you have money to give, you want to touch as many lives as you can.” - Denise A. Seachrist, Ph.D., '93
Kathleen Rydar, ’67, ’80 MA Impacts Students' Lives Using Her IRA's Required Minimum Distributions
For Kathleen Rydar, '67, '80 MA, receiving support while a student herself sparked a lifetime of giving back. “These investments tucked away during working years present a remarkable opportunity in retirement to give generously to my alma mater while reducing my tax burdens."
Giving Back and Creating a Legacy
Dr. James L. Raper, ’79, chose to support 91ֿ students with a planned gift that includes an endowed fund and endowed professorship that support nursing research and education.
Mindy and Gary Aleman – A Lifetime of Giving
“It really is all about 91ֿ’s wonderful students,” Mindy said. “Gary and I were able to pursue our dreams. These students deserve the opportunity to pursue their dreams and need help right now to do that.”
Jay and Joanie Solomon Provide Immediate and Future Support for Students
“I know how hard it is when you’re worried about being able to pay for whatever is coming up,” said Jay Solomon, ’61. “Dollars were always short for me. I was fortunate to be able to find jobs to take care of that, but that doesn’t always happen. I identify with the ‘Last Dollar Scholarship’ idea – to be able to help students who have the kind of pressure like I did.”
Alumna’s Gift Inspires Future Teachers
The Michele M. Stoffan Endowed Scholarship inspires and supports future teachers interested in providing the highest quality of instruction in high poverty settings.
Couple's Scholarship Benefits Students Studying in Two Different Programs
The Tirpaks have many wonderful memories of 91ֿ, and they wanted to honor those memories in a special way, by endowing a named scholarship. The problem was, they each graduated from different colleges within 91ֿ, and they wanted to have their award available to students from both. The unique solution they arrived at, with the help of their advancement officer, was for the Joseph E. and Judith B. Tirpak Scholarship support students studying in both the College of Business Administration and the College of Education, Health and Human Services.
Rebecca Herr, '71, and Husband, Eric, Founded and Endowed the Undergraduate Nursing Study Abroad Fun
"Although they can't be an expert at everything, they need to remain curious."
That is Rebecca Herr's advice for students, and her own sense of curiosity became a passion for adventure.
Legacies Change Lives
Second year graduate student Tricia Reed typically works 20 to 30 hours per week while also working on her M.Ed/Ed.S. in school psychology - a hectic schedule that leaves her little time for other activities. But, thanks to the E. Earline Long Endowed Scholarship in School Psychology, this past summer Tricia was able to take courses rather than work full time.