Blessings Through Generosity
With thankfulness, Saint Francis welcomed two impactful planned gifts intended to help students for decades to come.
By Reggie Hayes
Photography by Jeffrey Crane (BA ’98)
As the University of Saint Francis embarks upon a new era with an enhanced emphasis on its Catholic mission, alumni and friends are responding.
Within the past few months, two generous, planned gifts pledged to the university have been designed to impact students for decades to come.
In April, philanthropist Larry Lee announced his commitment of more than $6 million, the largest planned gift in university history. Then, to start this fall semester, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous committed a planned gift of $1.5 million.
Both gifts reflect Saint Francis supporters’ belief in the direction of the university in its mission and approach to educating and guiding students in the 21st century.
“The generosity of our alumni and friends cannot be overstated,” said President Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer, OSF, who began her tenure on July 1. “We hear repeatedly that people are energized to support the mission of Saint Francis. They are truly inspired to help us embrace our mission statement and provide students ‘an encounter with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, so that God, who is Love, may be loved.’ As we do this, we further the goal to ‘prepare students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service and joy.’”
Lee made his commitment with the intention of making higher education accessible—and the experience fulfilling—for students who often face barriers to their education dreams. His gift will help students by making education more accessible through endowed scholarships, supporting the social justice center director’s position and enhancing student success through faculty development for teaching excellence.
“The University of Saint Francis has long served as a cherished, valued asset to the Fort Wayne community,” Lee said. “To express my support and appreciation, I am endowing several initiatives that are consistent with my lifelong advocacy for social justice. To recognize Saint Francis’ past role and to assure its future role as a preeminent moral compass and conscience for the entire community, I am endowing the director position for the St. Benedict the Moor Social Justice Center. The current extraordinary director, Francisco Townsend, inspired me to name this endowed position in his honor.”
Lee also expressed his desire to open further avenues for students who are academically driven but financially challenged.
“My endowing 40 student scholarships provides a Saint Francis education for bright, motivated inner-city Fort Wayne high school graduates each year,” he said. “For such students, financing an education at a private school like Saint Francis poses an impossible barrier. It is a blessing to name this endowment in honor of community leaders Ian Boyce, Kathy Callen, Don Schenkel and Jeff Leffers, who have made significant lifetime contributions to Saint Francis and Fort Wayne.”
Lee’s gift will also endow an annual faculty award he spearheaded, formerly known as the Leepoxy Faculty Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence. “This will assure a tradition I established in 2009 continues ad infinitum,” he said.
The $1.5 million anonymous gift announced in September comes from a Saint Francis graduate who believes this gift is an opportunity to put faith into action and extend the university’s mission to those who will follow. The goal is to provide lasting opportunities for students through endowed scholarships, student travel and resources that support student success in and out of the classroom.
“I believe strongly in the mission of the University of Saint Francis and in the difference this university makes in the lives of its students,” the donor said. “I hope this gift will give students opportunities to learn, grow, serve others and discover their own calling. I am grateful for the education I received at Saint Francis, and I am honored to help ensure that its mission continues for generations to come.”
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Reba Copeland expressed gratitude for the long-lasting impact these gifts will make.
“Endowed gifts are gifts that keep giving,” Copeland said. “They remind us that one person’s faith, gratitude and commitment to serving others can have an impact that extends far beyond a single lifetime.”