Why we gave

Our donors speak: “Why we gave”

Gordon Alley in 1996

Eva Alley
“The scholarship will provide the opportunity to help someone who is going into special education at the graduate level. Gordon was dedicated to research and teaching. I think this is just the thing he would have wanted.” – Eva Alley, health education, ’77, Lawrence

Eva Alley, and her children, Steven Alley, Overland Park, and Melissa Sears, Emporia, gave $30,000 to create the Gordon R. Alley Family Scholarship in Education for graduate students in special education.

Sue Wilkie Snyder
“When you go back to school at the point in life that I did, you have a whole different perspective than you do as an 18-year-old. The faculty at KU and the environment in the Department of Music provided enormous support and encouragement, especially for someone my age. I wanted to give back to the situation that had given so much to me.”
– Sue Wilkie Snyder, doctorate in music ’88 , Washoughal, Wash.

Snyder established the Phyllis Brill Munczek Voice Scholarship Fund for graduate students in voice and opera with a $100,000 gift.

Munczek and Snyder at graduation, 1988

Federico Adler
“I established this award to stimulate original research by a resident and try to stimulate the formation of clinician scientists, which are in short supply. I also wanted this award to honor the memory of my late wife, and finally to celebrate my 50 years at KU.” – Federico Adler, M.D., Shawnee Mission, Kan.

Federico Adler arrived at KU Medical Center as a resident in 1957 and then joined the faculty. Today, he is a clinical professor of orthopedic surgery. His gift of $50,000 created the Betty and Federico Adler Resident Award to recognize outstanding original medical research by a resident in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

David and Kathy Wysong
“We have two daughters who have done extremely well since graduating from their respective universities. As a graduate of KU’s J-School and a big supporter of the university’s athletic department, I wanted to give something back to both factions, in hopes that the women who receive the scholarships will excel in life after their competitive athletic careers are over.”
– David Wysong journalism ’72, Mission Hills, Kan.

Kansas Sen. David Wysong, R-Mission Hills, and Kathy Wysong gave $100,000 through the Wysong Family Foundation.

David, Elizabeth and Kathy Wysong; Erin and Mike Martin

James Seaver and Antha Cotten-Spreckelmeyer

Antha Cotten-Spreckelmeyer
“We offer an academic program, not just travel. It’s about exposure, to see that the entire world does not revolve around the things we might find important. KU students abroad are very involved and attentive to the work and what they’re seeing. They make us very proud.” – Antha Cotten-Spreckelmeyer, associate director of KU’s Humanities and Western Civilization Program

Cotten-Spreckelmeyer’s $30,000 gift established the James E. Seaver, Ph.D., Study Abroad Fund in Western Civilization.

Robert J. Meyer, M.D.
“My former colleague, Curt Rosebraugh (pharmacy ’81, M.D. ‘86), attended KU despite significant economic challenges. He has two children currently enrolled at KU, while I have two children at Virginia Tech. We bet on the Orange Bowl and thought we should settle it somehow other than cash paid to each other. I asked Curt if he was willing to have the loser donate to the rival school. The winner either way would be a great state institution of higher learning. Given my knowledge of what KU did for him, the Hixson fund seemed a fitting choice; I was delighted to contribute to this great school and cause. I hope VT and KU meet again, so VT can redeem itself and Curt can contribute to the VT Office of Recovery and Support! ”
– Robert J. Meyer, M.D., Telford, Pa.

Meyer gave $50 (with a $50 match by his employer, Merck and Co.) to support the Christina M. Hixson Opportunity Fund, which provides scholarships for undergraduates with financial need.

Denise and Bob Meyer

Sen. Bob Dole
“I hope my contribution will underscore my commitment to bipartisanship and will encourage others to participate. The institute is all about the future and the students of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow. The institute’s record speaks for itself, and I am proud to play a small part in its success.” – Sen. Bob Dole, Washington, D.C.

Former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., gave $500,000 to support the Dole Institute of Politics and $150,000 to create the Bob Dole Prostate Cancer Research Fund at the KU Cancer Center.

Wanda and Thomas Pyle
“We greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness of Wanda and Thomas Pyle in making this bequest, which will make a significant difference in our work throughout the state and nation.”
– Steve Warren, director of KU’s Life Span Institute

Wanda and Thomas Pyle, a rural Chase County, Kan., couple, left a bequest of more than $1 million to the Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies at KU.

Dana Anderson, Sue Anderson
“KU has an interesting African-American heritage going back to the Border War between free state Kansas and slave state Missouri. We’ve gotten a lot of personal satisfaction from seeing the library collection nurtured and expanded.” – Dana Anderson, business ’59

Dana and Sue Anderson, Los Angeles, gave $80,000 as part of their continuing support for the KU Libraries’ collection of African-American materials from Kansas and the region.

Gladys Van Compernolle
“Neither my husband nor I had the opportunity to attend college. We were Depression-era children. I hope the scholarship will give students, especially those who might not have the opportunity to finish their education, the chance to graduate.”
– Gladys Van Compernolle

Van Compernolle, Dallas, gave $100,000 in memory of her husband, Leon, to establish the Leon E. and Gladys M. Van Compernolle Scholarship for students in business.

Cindy Maude
“Callahan Creek … has been proud to celebrate our anniversaries by providing scholarships to KU students wo are pursuing degrees important to our field. We hope our contributions will continue to foster excellence in the graphic design program and in the fields of strategic communications and research.” – Cindy Maude, Lawrence

Maude is president and CEO of Callahan Creek, a communications and marketing agency, which gave $25,000 to support journalism and fine arts scholarships.

Kenn Boelte
“With our mother’s connections to the medical center and our graduations from KU in Lawrence, this seemed like the natural way to honor her. Our mother enjoyed working with the medical center staff, and a lot of her lifelong friends came out of her work there.”
– Kenn Boelte, American studies ’72, Grand Junction, Colo.

Boelte and his sister, Cheryl Boelte Hatfield, elementary education ‘67, Silver Spring, Md., gave $30,000 to establish the Marian Weber Boelte and Arthur H. Boelte Scholarship Fund in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition at the KU Medical Center. Their mother was head dietitian there in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Kenn Boelte

George and Linda Burket
“Four generations of our family have been educated at KU. We have always felt a strong sense of commitment to return financial support to a wonderful institution.” – George and Linda Burket, Kingman, Kan.

George E. Burket III, zoology ’64, and Linda Burket, have been steady donors since 1974 and have supported the Greater KU Fund, the Alumni Association’s Kansas Honors Program and other areas.

Missy Murray (at right with her son John, a KU student)
“I have an allegiance to KU. I had very good teachers and got good experience and a good education. My brother and I both graduated from KU, and one of my sons is there now.” –
– Missy Murray, Leawood, Kan.

Murray, physical education ’72, elementary education ’79, and her husband, Michael, gave $200 online in flexible support for the School of Education.

Christina Hixson
“I’m interested in giving students a chance. This scholarship will support a lot of first-generation college students, and students who didn’t think they could afford KU.” – Christina Hixson, Las Vegas, Nev.

Hixson, trustee of the Ernst F. Lied Foundation, gave $5 million to endow the Christina M. Hixson Opportunity Award, which provides $5,000 renewable annual scholarships to students whose circumstances might prevent them from pursuing college.

Al and Lila Self
“Lila and I hope to inspire students who have a passion for solving the engineering and computer science challenges of the future. We want them to become leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.”
– Al Self, chemical engineering ’43, Hinsdale, Ill.

Self and his wife, Lila Reetz Self, class of ’43, gave $2.1 million to establish the Madison A. and Lila Self Engineering Leadership Fellowship. The award provides $4,000 support in the freshman and sophomore years and $6,000 annually thereafter; it also provides mentoring and leadership opportunities for recipients. Missy Murray

Bill and Becky Collier
“We gave out of a strong affection for KU and a sense of obligation to its future success. Regardless of the amount, KU Endowment always made us feel that our gifts were genuinely appreciated. It has been our privilege to give back to our alma mater!” –Bill and Becky Collier

H.W. Collier, comparative biochemistry and physiology ’67 and medicine ’71, and Rebecca Herold Collier, language arts education ’70, Wichita, have been steady donors since 1975.

Richard L. Schiefelbusch
“I think we underestimate or maybe misinterpret what wealth is. We assume that it is having money. But real wealth is having money and exercising the opportunity of giving.”
– Richard L. Schiefelbusch, master’s in speech pathology and audiology ’47

Richard and Ruth Schiefelbusch, Lawrence, gave $50,000; half will go to KU’s speech and hearing clinic, and half will go to facilitate research through an endowed fund for the Friends of the Life Span Institute. Richard Schiefelbusch has been a KU faculty member since 1949 and now is a distinguished professor emeritus of speech, language and hearing. Richard and Ruth Schiefelbusch

Tom Lipscomb
“My first sense of community as a KU freshman was in the marching band. I want others to experience the thrill of being a part pf something extraordinary. I know that many students would benefit from a bit of a financial boost, which may allow them the opportunity to choose to participate in this great organization.” – Tom Lipscomb, fine arts ’82 and master of music ’84

Tom Lipscomb and his wife, Kari, chemistry ’86, Overland Park, gave $33,000 to sponsor 23 members of the KU Marching Band as part of a KU initiative to provide $1,400 in scholarships for every band member over four years.

Lee Young
“My 25 years of working with students and colleagues were very invigorating: the happiest, most productive of my career. I wanted to say ‘Thank you’ in a tangible way. One of my earliest responsibilities was coordinating scholarships. We had just $6,000 then; it grew as people donated. That exposure to our need made me think this would be a good thing to do.”
– Lee Young, professor emeritus of journalism, Lawrence’56

As a faculty member from 1964 through 1989, Young developed the magazine journalism sequence in KU’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. His gift of $47,000 created the Lee Young Scholarship to support juniors or seniors in journalism, with preference to students interested in magazine journalism.

Thomas Fritzel
“Our family is honored to support Danforth. It’s an important campus landmark, and we wanted to contribute to a project that will have a lasting impression at KU.” – Thomas Fritzel, Lawrence

Thomas and Dru Fritzel, both personnel administration ’90; Tim Fritzel, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ’80; and Cindy Fritzel, personnel administration ’80, gave $125,000 to support renovation and expansion of KU’s historic Danforth Chapel. They are principals of Gene Fritzel Construction, Lawrence.

Dean Wolfe
“We wanted to recognize educators with a passion for teaching. The best way to achieve this was through nominations from those who were most benefited by their teachers – the students. By bestowing these awards, KU will gain the attention of high schools as a leader in higher education for superior students.”
– Dean Wolfe, business administration ’66 and juris doctorate ’69

R. Dean Wolfe and Cheryl L. Wolfe, Spanish education ’69, Clayton, Mo., gave $250,000 through the Wolfe Family Foundation to create the Wolfe Family Teaching Awards. The awards recognize exceptional secondary school teachers from anywhere in the world, nominated by KU seniors.

Franklin Gaines
“When I received my diagnosis, I traveled to Mayo Clinic for treatment, but not everyone can afford to do that. Having an NCI-designated cancer center would benefit our entire state. This is an extremely important endeavor that will allow people in Kansas to receive care without traveling far away, and I am very happy to help KU get closer to this goal.” – Franklin Gaines, Fredonia, Kan., cancer survivor

Franklin Gaines and his wife, Beverly, nursing ’70, gave $1 million through the Kansas Masonic Foundation’s Partnership for Life campaign to support research at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Tom and Jann Rudkin
“We have always loved old houses and want to do whatever we can to preserve them and keep them in use. And of course we love KU and the scholarship halls and strongly support KU’s determination to be an international university. The Strait and Pinet house rehabilitation projects were a natural fit for us.”
– Tom Rudkin, mathematics ’73, and Jann Rudkin, chemistry and anthropology ’73, Los Gatos, Calif.

The Rudkins gave $300,000 to renovate and refurbish the former home of Juanita and Reginald Strait into a gathering place for scholarship hall residents. They also gave $250,000 to renovate the former home of Frank Pinet, one block off campus, into a residence for visiting international scholars Tom & Jann Rudkin

R. Wayne Woodruff
“The monetary help I received from KU enabled me to continue in school when, as a poor Kansas farm boy from a small high school, I might not have succeeded. The purpose of this scholarship is to repay the university for its help, to enable other needy students to have the opportunities I had and to help the School of Social Welfare.” – R. Wayne Woodruff, chemistry and German ’59 and medicine ’63, Cortland, Ohio

Woodruff named KU Endowment the beneficiary of an IRA valued at more than $1 million. The gift will create the Diana M. Woodruff Memorial Scholarship in honor of his late wife, a longtime social worker. The scholarship will cover tuition and fees for three junior or senior students in the School of Social Welfare with academic merit and financial need.

Jane Voorhees
“I could have bought a park bench in [my husband’s] honor. I could have done something in the arts, but the arts are more my area, and it wouldn’t have been the right thing for him. Instead, I chose a scholarship. I’m so excited to be doing this.” – Jane Voorhees, fine arts ’64

Voorhees created the Vernon Voorhees II Graduate Scholarship for students in KU's combined MBA/juris doctorate program Missy Murray

Larry Horner
“By making this scholarship available based partly on financial need, we can help some students who might not have the opportunity to study abroad. Studying abroad helps students gain a great deal of breadth in their personal and business lives. It can teach them to be open-minded and realize that the way we do things in the United States isn't the only way they can be done.”
– Larry Horner, business ’56

Larry and Donna Horner created a scholarship fund initially focused on the study abroad activities of the KU Center for International Business Education and Research.

Helen DiPaola
“I really enjoyed my experience of going to the school; I wanted to give something back because I believe strongly in the respiratory care program.” –Helen DiPaola, respiratory care ’80

DiPaola named KU Endowment as a beneficiary of her retirement plan, which will eventually support respiratory care education in the School of Allied Health.

Floyd Day
“I have a little money saved up, and I wanted to have an impact. I’ve known so many people who had cancer that I wanted to support the research.” –Floyd Day, Silver Spring, Md.

Day created a charitable gift annuity at the Kansas Masonic Foundation through its Partnership for Life, which eventually will pass to KU Endowment to support KU's Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Center.

Keith Swinehart
“The best of my years at KU was the fun I had in the Department of Journalism and how it prepared me for what lay ahead. It was easy for me to decide how to give back: I established a building fund in the hope that it would make a big difference over the long haul.”
–Keith Swinehart, journalism ’38

Swinehart established two gift annuities to create the Swinehart Family Building Fund for the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

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