Two generations, one legacy: building educational impact through philanthropy and endowments

By Michelle Strickland

Family makes giving to support teachers a tradition

For the Spry family, two things run deep: their love for KU and education, and their generous spirit. And together they have created a legacy of giving through their outright and planned gifts that support KU’s School of Education and Human Sciences. 

Ron and Barb Spry are both Mission, Kansas, natives who met at KU while they were students in what was then the School of Education. They received their degrees in 1971 and 1974, respectively. A few years after they married, they relocated to Colorado where they had long careers as teachers and raised their daughter, Erin, who is now a teacher herself.

Ron and Barb decided to make a gift to KU to support students who were studying to become teachers, because they knew first-hand the importance of educators.

Both of them knew they wanted careers in education. Ron’s brother, aunt and mother were all teachers, and he always wanted to work in a field that served children. Barb was drawn to helping children realize their potential because she realized great teachers help students find their own power and self-worth.
“I really felt my purpose was to enrich my students’ lives through teaching,” Barb said.

That love of education connected the dots for the Sprys when they decided to support the School of Education and Human Sciences with an outright gift. The Ronald K., Barbara D., and Erin M. Spry Education Scholarship provides scholarship funds to students in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching.

“We wanted to help up-and-coming new teachers that need financial assistance,” said Barb. “We value strong teachers and want them to be successful so they can help kids become successful too.”

The Sprys gave gifts to various causes at KU, including the 2004 renovation of Danforth Chapel, where they were married in 1971. So philanthropic giving was something they modeled for their daughter and encouraged.

“I remember them always having a connection, and always donating,” said Erin. “And when it came time to attend to things like wills and trusts, they said, ‘We should do this.’”

Erin followed in her parents’ footsteps and is a high school teacher in Colorado. She teaches students at all high school grade levels in subjects including human geography, government and world religions. She also followed their path of giving: She built on their outright gift, which helped meet immediate needs, by establishing a bequest to support her parents’ scholarship, building on their legacy and tradition of giving.

“My parents want to make sure KU is able to turn out amazing and excellent teachers, and they knew they were able to help,” said Erin. “And as I was planning for my own retirement, I thought, I’m here because of KU.”

Erin said that making the university part of her estate plan was simple, and there were no cons to offset the pros. And the fact that KU’s School of Education & Human Sciences is ranked among the best in the United States was another great reason to give.

“These are very uncertain times, and I like knowing that schools of education like KU exist out there, that are putting great teachers out there who will make a difference in students’ lives,” she said. “I want to make sure that continues to happen.”