Inspiring Stories
If you've ever been a "band nerd," you have a lot in common with David and Pat Grutzmacher. When the two met in college, they shared a love of music (he played trumpet and she the oboe) and went on to share their lives as well. Today, David is a vice president at a small…
Inspired by late faculty colleagues Jim Rinier (geology) and Art Herrick (biology) who designated Kent State in their estate plans, Ed and his wife, Peg, have funded a gift annuity, which at maturity will benefit the Map Library in the 5XÉçÇø Libraries.
What's your motivation to give back? Randall Keller, '08, feels Kent State is a vital part of Northeast Ohio, and has chosen to boost its regional impact through his estate plan. Randall's gift will support students of 5XÉçÇø's College of Business, and also the…
Patricia Grutzmacher, '85, professor emerita of music education, remembers that as a student it was important for her to have time to study, reflect, philosophize and actually learn. Now, it's important to Patricia to give back to help future students have those same…
Marilyn Flower and her late husband, Don, were passionate supporters of the men's basketball and wrestling programs at Kent State, and Marilyn loves Porthouse Theater as well.
Andy and Micheal Sonderman have fond memories of their time as students at both the Trumbull and Kent campuses. That's why they decided to make a planned gift that will benefit both.
Rick and Janis Krumel remember well what it was like to be the first in their families to attend college. The Krumels funded the DeLong-Krumel Family Endowed Scholarship over a five-year period. They're turning their scholarship into four individual Founders Scholarships by…
Lovers of classical music and all other things NPR will find a friend in Sandie Kramer. The retired social studies teacher and long-time volunteer at WKSU turned her passion for the station's programming and outreach programs into two legacy gifts that will touch many other…
"It's important to me to give back because I had such a good experience at Kent State," says Jim. "I have a revocable living trust currently that will convert to a charitable trust after I pass. Every year it will spin off a certain amount of money for the university." Jim's…
Even though he passed away in 2011, Brittany Caldwell, a sophomore at the East Liverpool campus, feels like she knows Gus Markanton well. "I know he owned Gus's Party Center and was full of encouraging words to people who wanted to continue their education," she says. "I really…