Summer 2007

Faculty, Staff Give Generously Through New Program

Miami's faculty and staff members have always given generously to the university by sharing their time, their talents and their financial gifts. In fact, current and retired university employees have committed more than $5.7 million so far to the Campaign For Love and Honor.

This spring, President David C. Hodge announced a new initiative that encourages and rewards the continued generosity of Miami's faculty and staff. The Faculty, Staff and Retiree Endowment Program allows employees, past and present, to create a permanent, named endowment by making a gift of $10,000, payable over 10 years, which is matched by an additional $5,000 from the university.

This program provides an opportunity for faculty and staff members to make their first gift. Or, for those who give regularly, an opportunity to direct their gifts to a fund that benefits the university in perpetuity. David Sauter, university registrar, and his wife, Janet, a faculty member at the Middletown campus, are eager to route their gifts to a fund in their name.

"Donating to the scholarship fund is something we've done for a long time," David said. "When we heard about this particular program, we had some exciting conversations about combining our current giving into a more directed approach."

For Miami staff member Vince Frieden and his wife, Jill '01 Mac '02, the advent of the endowment program offered the chance to pay tribute to Jill's late father, Larry Holland, by creating a scholarship in his name.

"Though Larry never attended Miami, both of his daughters earned Miami degrees and, in the process, he fell in love with the place," remembered Vince. "When this opportunity came along, Jill and I saw the perfect chance to honor his memory in a meaningful way and also give back to a place that has meant so much to us."

Miami's General Counsel Robin Parker, who, along with her husband Bernie Bubnis Ph.D. '83, created a scholarship for chemistry graduate students, sums up the feeling of many Miami faculty and staff members.

"Miami provides a terrific life for us," she said. "It gave my husband an excellent education, provides me with a wonderful career and makes Oxford a great place to live. We want to help ensure that Miami is able to continue to provide these benefits for faculty, staff and students."

Employees who have created endowments through this program include:
Todd Bailey
Brad Bundy
Kathleen Burgoon
W. Hardy Eshbaugh
Vince Frieden
Dan Herron
Roger Jenkins
Al Kettlewell
Richard Little
Ray Mock
Dick Nault
Robin Parker
David and Janet Sauter
Steve Snyder
Jayne Whitehead

Back to the Giving Tribute Summer 2007