Giving Tribute Fall 2014

Giving

Tribute Develop men t News at M i a m i Un i v er si t y

Issue 21 // Fall 2014 • ForLoveandHonor.org

In this issue

Scholarship Honors Family Connections Ridenour Family Scholarship supports Northwest Ohio students

The Miami Promise S C H OLARS H IP C AMPAI G N

Miami’s $100 million promise to future Miami students and their families Pag e 2

Page 3

Class of 2014 Endows Scholarship Matching gift challenge adds momentum to Senior Class Gift effort Page 4

McVey Gift Honors Miami Experience 1981 alumnus creates Farmer School and Miami Golf scholarships.

Page 6

Day of Giving Moves Miami More than 3,200 donors contribute during move-in day campaign Page 8

Gift Strengthens Career Services at Miami Gary Killian ’81 emphasizes importance of career services to college experience Page 9

Miami University: Equal opportunity in education and employment.

Produced by University Advancement 5K/12/14/POST

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t h e miami p r o mise

Miami announces $100 million scholarship campaign

Miami Announces Matching Gift Programs As a demonstration of its own

Five-year fundraising effort to help bridge financial gap for families

commitment to the Miami Promise Scholarship Campaign, the university has introduced three matching gift programs, encouraging donors to create new endowed and four-year

For Devante Johnson, a junior electrical engineering major from Dayton, Ohio, the scholarship support that drew

“Scholarships are opportunity—the opportunity to attend and excel at Miami University—and our students are deserving of those life-changing opportunities,” Miami President David Hodge said. “By raising $100

him to Miami University is about more

million in new scholarship support, this campaign

than dollars and cents or even just the

demonstrates our commitment to affordable excellence

opportunity to attend college.

and ensuring a Miami education

“We have achieved considerable

remains within reach of bright,

expendable recruitment scholarships.

Match the Promise—Endowed: Offers an eight-year university match that allows a permanent endowed scholarship to be awarded immediately while its principal grows unimpeded over the first four years.

hard-working students and

Match the Promise—Immediate

their families.”

Impact: Supports four-year

me freedom—freedom to

and friends in the support of current

individual donors and students. Miami

take advantage of all the

While Miami seeks support

and future Miami students. We are

for all types of scholarships, it

offers a $1 match on every $2 invested

excited by the enthusiastic donor

is prioritizing scholarships for

by the donor.

response to the challenge of ensuring

placed particular emphasis on

“My scholarship has given

incredible opportunities Miami has given me, freedom to enjoy my college experience both academically and socially,” Johnson said. “Every student deserves the freedom of a

momentum by involving our alumni

that the promise of a Miami education remains within reach of all families.”

college experience that helps

—Tom Herbert, Vice President for

them discover who they

University Advancement

can become.”

In an effort to inspire more stories like Johnson’s, Miami has announced a five-year, $100 million scholarship initiative. The Miami Promise Scholarship Campaign seeks to involve alumni and friends in bridging the financial gaps faced by today’s college-bound students and their families.

need, merit and diversity and has recruitment scholarships. Offered to prospective students as part of their financial assistance packages, recruitment scholarships remain with students throughout their connect donors and students.

Scholarship Society: Supports fouryear expendable scholarships for Miami’s varsity student-athletes. Miami offers a $1 match on every $2 invested by the donor, with options available at in-state and out-of-state levels.

To learn more about the Miami Promise Scholarship Campaign, visit

“The most meaningful way we can offset the financial

ForLoveandHonor.org/MiamiPromise

obstacles faced by families is by growing the level of

or contact the Miami University Office

private scholarship support we have available to meet

of Development at 513-529-1230 or

that need,” said Michael Kabbaz, vice president for

MUDevelopment@MiamiOH.edu.

enrollment management and student success. “Four years at Miami can and does change lives, and those who help ensure those opportunities for generations to come.”

ForLoveandHonor.org

Forever and a Day Athletic

college careers and directly

support the Miami Promise Scholarship Campaign will

2

expendable scholarships that connect

The Ridenour Family (from left): Trent, Karen ’82, Mark ’82, Megan ’14, Stephanie ’09, Kevin Keplesky (Stephanie’s fiancé), Lauren ’11 and Andrew Shuneson ’11 (Lauren’s fiancé).

t h e miami p r o mise

Ridenour Scholarship to Support Northwest Ohio Students Miami Merger honors family’s extensive Miami ties For Mark ’82 and Karen Shurmer Ridenour ’82, a Miami Merger that has sent three daughters on to

“All of us who have had the fortune of attending

As parents to Miami graduates Stephanie ’09,

Miami and leading successful careers should

Lauren ’11 and Megan ’14, their connection to the

consider giving back to help make those

university only grew.

opportunities possible for those who follow,” Mark

alma mater, the Miami Experience is

said. “The Miami Promise Scholarship Campaign

something not only to be treasured

and Match the Promise initiatives are strong

but also to be shared.

statements of Miami’s commitment to supporting student scholarships.”

The Sylvania, Ohio, residents recently lent early momentum to the Miami Promise Scholarship

“Obviously things changed in Oxford between the time when we attended and when our daughters attended, but it remains that quintessential college campus on a hill with great educational opportunities and people at all levels,” Mark said.

Mark is executive vice president and CFO of

Campaign by endowing the Ridenour Family

“We have tried to teach our children

Scholarship in support of students from Northwest

the importance of being charitable and

Ohio who demonstrate financial need. According

helping where they can. Our hope is

Ohio Citizens Bank and Ameritrust before raising

was both practical and based on a sense of

that when they are in a position to give

community pride.

schools, hospitals and non-profits throughout

back they will also contribute to the

Northwest Ohio.

“Putting four children through college has certainly

scholarship and open even more doors

made us aware of the cost of education,” Karen said.

The Ridenour Family Scholarship is a tribute to

to students who want to study hard and

Mark, Karen and their daughters as well as nine

to Karen, the decision to create the scholarship

“We are also proud of Northwest Ohio and know there are many qualified young people who struggle to afford the excellent campus experience and education that Miami offers.”

open themselves to new possibilities.”

–Karen Shurmer Ridenour ’82

The Ridenours’ scholarship received an additional

Heidtman Steel Products. Both he and Karen, who began her career with Continental Illinois Bank, the couple’s four children, are active in serving

other family members with Miami ties. It also celebrates the family’s Miami Greek experiences that have resulted in life-long friendships and extended Miami families.

Through creating a family scholarship, Mark and

boost through Miami’s Match the Promise

Mark and Karen have come to know Miami from a

endowment program—an eight-year university

variety of angles—as students and alumni, parents,

matching program that allows new scholarships

and now from Mark’s perspective as a member of

at $50,000 and above to begin being awarded

Miami’s Board of Trustees. They both earned finance

immediately and which permits the endowment’s

degrees while at Miami, and their first date was to

principal to grow unimpeded over its first four years.

Miami’s 1982 Charter Day Ball.

Karen celebrate a powerful connection.

“We created a family scholarship because we are a family as Miami is a ‘family,’” Karen said.

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Class of 2014 leaves lasting legacy through class scholarship Miami’s newest alumni set a new standard For Ciera Pope ’14 and classmates from Miami University’s recently graduated Class of 2014 it was

University’s Match the Promise program, which

for us to show just how important we believe

allows the scholarship to be awarded while the

scholarship support is to the continued success of

endowment’s principal grows unimpeded over its

the university and just how important our newest

first four years.

alumni are to supporting that effort.”

important to leave something behind before they set out

“With the help of donors, I was able to spend

into the world.

my 3.7 years at Miami, earn an amazing

In a record-breaking effort, the class—backed

education and enjoy an unforgettable

by a $25,000 matching gift from members of

experience. I was proud to share that story with

Miami’s Foundation Board—became the first Miami class to endow its class scholarship

my classmates and to join them in donating so

before graduation.

others can have that same experience.”

“It was amazing the way we were able to exceed our goal in record-breaking time,” said Pope, a scholarship recipient who served as vice president of Senior Class Gift. “The Foundation Board’s decision to match our effort really excited our classmates and made a statement about how great and worthy the cause was.”

In all, the class attained 33 percent participation and raised more than $41,000 before the match.

The Class of 2014 Scholarship will be awarded for the first time next fall and will benefit from Miami

$ 378,000 Dollars awarded to Miami students through the class scholarship program last year.

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“Miami is working to remain as affordable as possible for families, and scholarships are critical to that,” Killian said. “Class scholarships are a great way for donors at all levels to impact Miami’s greatest need, and that impact is significant.”

Members of the Foundation Board and Board of Trustees are already committed to supporting future Senior Class Gift campaigns with matching gifts. According to Pope, it is an

–Ciera Pope ’14 According to Gary Killian ’81, former president of the Miami Foundation Board, the board supported the Senior Class Gift effort for several reasons.

“We wanted to add momentum and enthusiasm to the Senior Class Gift campaign, but we also wanted to show students that the alumni and parents comprising the Foundation Board were committed

invaluable investment.

“When I applied, I knew Miami was an amazing school, but I didn’t know how I could afford it,” Pope said. “With the help of donors I was able to spend 3.7 years at Miami, earn an amazing education and enjoy an unforgettable experience. I was proud to share that story with my classmates and to join them in donating so others can have that same experience.”

to their success,” Killian said. “It was an opportunity

211 Number of Miami students impacted by class scholarships in 2012-2013.

$ 220 Average class scholarship gift over the past decade, which has had a collective impact of more than $3.3 million.

l i v es t r ans f o r med

Read full versions of these and other student impact stories at ForLoveandHonor.org/Impact.

When Devante Johnson’s Miami University

grandfather’s television repair shop—he is grateful

financial aid package arrived, it not only meant

that his college experience extends beyond the

the opportunity to attend college, it also meant the

classroom and lab.

freedom to get the most from his college experience.

Johnson is a member of the College of Engineering

“I’ve been given this incredible active learning experience, where I’m learning within social environments and being able

and Computing’s Lockheed Martin Leadership Institute,

“Six years ago, I wouldn’t have believed

the president of

I could be at a place like Miami. It’s

the Delta Upsilon

opened a whole new world to me.”

Chapter of Alpha

Inc., and the vice president of Miami’s Gentlemen

Junior

in my field and students from different backgrounds,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who is interested

Phi Alpha Fraternity

Devante Johnson

to interact with professionals

of Distinguished Character organization. While he is passionate about his electrical engineering

in the environment and sustainable energy, sees it as his duty to share his talents and resources for the benefit of others, much like those who helped make

major—an interest he developed while helping in his

his scholarship possible.

When Aisha Ouattara was looking into colleges as

Miami’s campus life through an overnight stay with

a high school senior, the first-generation American

a host student. Bridges students are also offered

had more questions than answers.

scholarships to attend Miami.

“We moved to Cincinnati during my senior year

“I was so nervous, but everyone was so genuinely

of high school, so I didn’t know anything about

kind and enthusiastic to show off what Miami

colleges in Ohio,” Ouattara said. “It was a high

had to offer,” Ouattara said. “There were so many

Electrical Engineering Dayton, Ohio

organizations, majors and ways

school guidance counselor

“Because someone made the effort

for students to get involved

I was looking for and

to believe in me and help me, my

that really appealed to me.”

who recommended the

dreams are becoming a reality.”

who suggested that Miami would have more of what

Bridges program.”

and practice leadership, and

For Ouattara, the scholarship support was equally

A program for high school seniors with a

important. In addition to her international studies

commitment to and appreciation for diversity,

major and French and anthropology minors, she

Junior

Bridges accepts students based on essay

works 10 hours a week to pay for her books and

International Studies

submissions. Selected students then experience

other expenses.

Even in the midst of a conversation with friends,

Miami had a highly ranked interior design program,

Lindsey Pappalardo can suddenly find herself lost in

and it really was perfect.”

Aisha Ouattara

Cincinnati

the aesthetics of her surroundings.

And, while accompanying her older brother on a

“It’s nice that there are people out

Miami college visit, it was

there who recognize students who

one of those moments that

really want an education and are

swept the then-high school sophomore away and drew

willing to work hard for it.”

her heart immediately and forever to “the most beautiful college that

Lindsey Pappalardo

It has been an ideal match for Pappalardo. Though the hours (and hours) of studio time devoted to her major afford her little free time, she says it is a small price to pay.

“Every moment is worth it,” Pappalardo said.

ever there was.”

“I’m doing what I love—using my hands, drawing,

“I remember turning to my mom and saying ‘I have

have the opportunity to study something I really

to go here,’” Pappalardo recalled. “Then I found that

enjoy with classmates who are like family.”

thinking, creating. I consider myself fortunate to

Sophomore Interior Design Downer’s Grove, Ill.

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McVey scholarships honor well-rounded Miami Experience 1981 graduate creates scholarships for Farmer School and Miami Golf While he has gone far in the world of finance, rising to founder and CEO of a groundbreaking company, Richard “Rick” McVey ’81 has never forgotten the important role that Miami University played in contributing to the traits and skills that enabled his success.

McVey recently returned that favor to future generations by contributing $240,000 to create two new Miami scholarships—the Richard McVey Farmer School of Business Scholarship and the Richard McVey Golf Scholarship.

“My experience at Miami was the perfect combination of academic, athletic and personal

McVey (second from left) with Miami’s 1981 MidAmerican Conference men’s golf champions.

development,” McVey reflected.

The CEO of MarketAxess, which operates a patented electronic trading platform, McVey is also the parent of a recent Miami graduate, Taylor ’11, and a member of the Miami University Foundation Board.

At Miami, McVey enjoyed a journey of personal growth that was supported and enhanced by the people around him.

“The quality and diversity of people in the Miami community create a unique opportunity for personal and social development,” McVey said. “In any

aspect of Miami life, you learn to operate in a team

North America Fixed Income Fund sales in New

environment.”

York City. He started MarketAxess in 2000 with J.P.

As a varsity golf letterwinner, McVey went from not making the team as a freshman to serving as

Both scholarships count toward the Miami Promise

a co-captain and helping lead the team to a Mid-

Scholarship Campaign and qualify for Miami’s

American Conference championship as a senior.

Match the Promise program.

After earning his MBA from Indiana University,

“I feel great about giving back to Miami so other

McVey worked his way from trading futures for

students have the same opportunities I did,”

a Cleveland-based regional bank to serving as

McVey said. “I’m a believer in education for the

an institutional futures broker on the Chicago

advancement of individuals and our society,

Mercantile Exchange. J.P. Morgan, one of his clients,

and scholarships make a big difference for many

eventually hired him to run the company’s Chicago

worthy students.”

futures business and later promoted him to lead

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Morgan as its first investor.

A r o u nd M i am i

President’s address focuses on missions of Oxford and regional campuses On Sept. 3, Miami University President David Hodge

“Ultimately our success is not

delivered his annual address, “The Miami Mission: Our Compass in a Fluid World,” to members of the

judged by who we are—though that

Miami community.

matters—but by what we do, and in

In his message, President Hodge emphasizes the importance

a bigger sense, what our graduates

of seizing new opportunities in a changing world while staying

do. Our primary mission is to

true to the five core themes of the university’s mission. In

prepare graduates who can and

particular, he examines the differing yet complementary strengths of Miami’s Oxford and regional campuses.

will impact the world.”

To view a full transcript of his remarks, visit MiamiOH.edu/

–President David C. Hodge

President/reports-speeches.

life that contribute to student success, the Miami Division of Enrollment Management and Student

One-Stop for Student Success Services and other areas in coordinating retention and student success initiatives university-wide. Michael Kabbaz, former associate vice present for enrollment management, is the division’s first vice president.

As a next step in this effort, President David Hodge appointed a new student success committee in October that is charged with “aggressively evaluating current practices and policies in light of best practices.”

No. 1

$1 million from Ben Roethlisberger ’12 for the Indoor Sports Center $360,000 from Gary ’81 and Julie Killian for Office of Career Services $350,000 from Gail Rumble ’58 for a scholarship for the College of Education, Health and Society

$200,000 from John ’76 and Beverly ’76 Egbert for scholarships

University Board of Trustees approved a new

admission, financial assistance, bursar, registrar,

$1 million from John Hoxland White ’58 for University Libraries

$200,000 from Richard ’68 and Lorry ’68 Blath for the Mallory-Wilson Center and a College of Arts and Science scholarship

In an effort to unite the components of student

The division brings together the offices of

Among the most recent major-gift commitments to Miami University are the following:

$240,000 from Richard McVey ’81 for Farmer School of Business and men’s golf scholarships

Miami announces new division

Success during its June meeting.

Commitment Update

Class of 2018 raises the bar Following a record number of applications, 25,302, the entering Class of 2018 touts an average ACT score of 27.7­—the highest in university history. Of this year’s approximately 3,600-member class, 29 percent scored a 30 or higher on the ACT and 38 percent scored a 29 or higher. Thirty-four percent of the class, which hails from 39 states and 33 countries, graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school classes.

No. 8

Miami’s ranking among public universities for commitment to undergraduate teaching.

The Farmer School of Business’ ranking among public universities nationally.

—U.S. News & World Report

—Bloomberg Businessweek

$150,000 from the Richard Fasenmyer Foundation and Walt ’57 and Sheila ’58 Collins for a scholarship for the Farmer School of Business $100,000 from Jim ’74 and Carol ’74 Phillips for a scholarship for the College of Engineering and Computing A generous gift from G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers for intercollegiate athletics A generous gift from Mitch and Debby Steenrod for The Brandon Alan Hall Memorial Scholarship supporting military veterans, ROTC students or children of military veterans A generous bequest from Donald Watson ’67 for a scholarship for veterans, active service members, and ROTC students A generous estate gift from Sally Wells ’53 for a scholarship for the College of Arts and Science

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ann u a l giving

Chuck ’61 & Berta Wiggins Pettis ’61 While Miami

Red Brick Society Profile

University has known many great ambassadors,

Chuck Pettis ’61 has the privilege of saying he was recruited to Miami by one of the very best.

As a high school junior in western New York, Chuck and his classmates received a visit from the late John Dolibois ’42, who was trying to interest out-of-state students in Miami. Dolibois later

Historic fundraising day “moves” Miami Day of giving campaign involves more than 3,200 donors

arranged a campus visit for Chuck, and by the time it was over, Chuck applied to only one college and convinced Berta, his high school sweetheart, to join him.

More than 53 years since their graduation,

What a difference a day makes.

As Miami University’s first-year Class of 2018 moved to campus on Aug. 21, the university

“I remember what

community—alumni, parents, friends, faculty

accounted for about 10 percent of the donor participation we see in a typical year.”

Throughout the 20-hour and 18-minute

their support for the entering class and future

campaign, donors surpassed four milestones and unlocked more than $160,000 in matching

Miami did for me ...

remains grateful for

how it changed me

generations of Miami students.

mentors and for

and gave me that

The #MoveInMiami day of giving campaign, a

the lifelong Miami

confidence to succeed.”

participation-driven effort that sought to involve

friendships. They

than 3,200 alumni and friends who made gifts

and staff—came together in a big way to show

the Miami Merger the strong faculty-

a fun day that had a major impact. The more

2,018 donors in support of the Class of 2018,

gifts. Alumni and friends also were encouraged to spread the word and share their own Miami stories via social media using #MoveInMiami.

brought together 3,257 donors from around the

“It was a great way to reconnect our alumni to

globe and raised more than $506,000 in support

their own move-in day memories and connect

success in life.

of the university.

them with today’s students,” said Emily Berry

“I appreciated the rigor of the academics,” Chuck

“It was exciting watching the #MoveInMiami

also credit Miami as a foundation for their

–Chuck Pettis ’61

said. “I graduated with the confidence that if I could succeed at Miami, I could be a success in the world of business.”

buzz spread both throughout social media and across campus,” said Brad Bundy HA ’13, senior associate vice president for development. “It was

’01 MA ’11, director of annual giving. “We were especially pleased by the response of our young alumni, who accounted for 44 percent of our total donor support.”

In addition to Chuck serving as inductor for the annual Hughes Society luncheon, the couple has loyally supported Miami’s annual fund since graduation—both out of gratitude for their experience and the need to continue those opportunities for future students.

26% Percentage of #MoveInMiami donors making their first gift.

$83 Average #MoveInMiami gift.

“Miami has been an important part of our lives,” Berta said. “We’ve got a Miami flag out front and a license plate that reads M1809U. We’re proud of where we went to school.”

The Red Brick Society includes donors who have made a gift every year since graduation or donors who have given in at least 25 consecutive years.

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20 & 90 Ages of youngest and oldest #MoveInMiami donors.

MoveInMiami.org Visit online to relive #MoveInMiami, including social media posts from participating alumni and friends.

Fea t u r ed P r o g r am

Killian gift supports Miami Office of Career Services Alumnus acknowledges life-long impact of career services To truly appreciate something is to want to make it better for the next generation, and Gary M. Killian

tapping into that resource during their first year on campus.

According to Michael

’81 wants the very best for Miami

Goldman, director

University and its students.

of career services at

Killian and his wife, Julia, recently established an

increasingly important.

endowment of more than $360,000 in support of Miami’s Office of Career Services. The intent is to enhance the office’s value to the university’s overall college experience and to support successful career

Miami, this has become

“A career community that includes an expanded early career

Miami’s reputation attracts employers to campus for four-times more interviews than at other similar sized universities, and 70 percent of Miami students will have at least one internship before they graduate.

and postgraduate placements for Miami students.

exploration program

“It’s incumbent on us to support students’

evaluate their strengths

professional development with a quality career

and interests and match

discovering their interests; investigating the

services organization. College is a large investment,

them with academic majors and career decisions,”

related opportunities; experiencing a field through

and families are looking to colleges and universities

Goldman said. “A self-directed career decision that

coursework, networking, internships and work;

to demonstrate pragmatic and positive outcomes,”

is an outlet for a student’s passion is the very best

and achieving a desired career or admittance to a

Killian said. “Miami is doing a good job

career outcome.”

graduate or professional school.

allows students to

differentiating its students in their job searches, but Career Services needs to be more mission-critical.”

A retired managing director at Lehman Brothers who headed the municipal finance and global infrastructure divisions, Killian earned degrees in

“Good career guidance provides so much long-term value in terms of finding the right career fit and learning

Killian sees the resources and training provided

by Career Services as an important investment in students that extends far beyond landing that first job and has an overall university impact.

finance and economics from Miami and was active

how to network, interview and use

“Good career guidance provides so much long-

in Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. He remembers a

technology to market yourself.”

and learning how to network, interview and use

positive college experience that was academically challenging and which surrounded him with competitive and hard-working peers.

Killian believes an emphasis on career services is the next leap in the evolution from the more traditional education he received, and he wants to see students

–Gary Killian ’81

term value in terms of finding the right career fit technology to market yourself,” Killian said. “By funding it in a bigger way, you not only provide students that lifetime of value, you’re also supporting

Miami’s Office of Career Services seeks to guide students through a four-step process of

the positive career outcomes that enhance Miami’s reputation.”

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Gift P l ann i n g

Sally Wells ’53 A long-time

Miami back then was like getting a scholarship

Bequests leave profound, enduring impact on students

because it didn’t cost very much. Obviously the cost

Sarah Duncan ’15 never met

brice Society Profile

fundraiser from Washington, D.C., who is retired in

name only, Sally Wells ’53 recently announced a significant estate gift that is creating the need-based Sally Wells College of Arts and Science Scholarship.

“I went to Miami partially because it was what my family could afford,” Wells recalled. “Going to

of higher education today is not the same, but I believe that good, serious

“It was exciting to put Miami in my will and

Raymond W. Flodin MEd ’63 but she owes him more than she can

a level greater than the benefactor thinks possible.

Because bequests and trust provisions are simple to establish, offer the flexibility for individuals to change their minds, and may provide estate tax

ever express.

relief, they have almost universal appeal.

create a scholarship

Duncan was one of an inaugural class of

While it is encouraged to work with legal counsel

seven Miami honors students awarded a

while including Miami in estate plans, it is also

should have that

for students who need

$5,000 Raymond W.

opportunity.”

financial help.”

students who have

even more exciting to

need and a real desire to go to Miami

Wells’ experiences have ranged from running a TV food commercial company in New York City, to serving the Peace Corps in Guatemala, contributing to the War on Poverty in West Virginia and engaging donors in support of public television/radio and later The Wilderness Society. Her passion for people and

Flodin Scholarship. The

important to involve Miami’s

While it is encouraged to

Office of Gift Planning.

academic merit and service

work with legal counsel

“By working directly with

to the community, was

while including Miami

Miami University in drafting

scholarship, based on

the result of a $1.6 million bequest from Flodin, a

in estate plans, it is also

your will or including Miami in testamentary plans, we can

retired elementary school

important to involve Miami’s

provide assistance and ensure

principal who died in 2011.

Office of Gift Planning.

out exactly as you intend,”

that your wishes are carried

good causes continues to keep her active with

For Duncan, an aspiring

non-profits.

teacher who counts service in the community

senior director of gift planning. “We are here to

among the most important contributors to

offer support to alumni and friends at all stages,

her education, Flodin’s vision in establishing

whether that’s identifying the best gift planning

the bequest has supported experiences and

vehicle or providing the proper legal language for

opportunities that will last a lifetime.

establishing a gift bequest.”

“I don’t get paid for volunteering in the

All Miami alumni and friends who have made

community, but I still need money for college,”

arrangements to include Miami in their will are

Duncan said. “It means everything to me to have

also automatically qualified for membership in the

some of that burden alleviated. Mr. Flodin’s

Calvin S. Brice Society.

A long-time donor to Miami, Wells saw an IRA provision in her estate plans as a way to leave a meaningful impact to future Miamians.

“An IRA was a very simple way to give,” Wells said. “You can change it anytime you want, you can give more or less if you want, it offers great tax advantages, and all you have to do is let whomever is managing your IRA know your intentions. I’m very happy to have done this.”

thoughtfulness and the incredible Miami education I’m getting have made all the difference in my life.”

The Calvin S. Brice Society was established to recognize Miami University alumni and friends who provide visionary support to the university through their estate plans.

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said Jayne Whitehead HA ’06,

Bequests and other testamentary gifts profoundly shape the experiences of Miami students—often at

To learn more about Miami’s Office of Gift Planning, contact Jayne Whitehead HA ’06, senior director of development for gift planning, at 513529-5223 or jayne.whitehead@MiamiOH.edu.

t h e miami p r o mise

Steenrod Gift creates scholarship for undergraduates with military service Brandon Alan Hall Memorial Scholarship honors military veteran Brandon Alan Hall never attended Miami University, but a scholarship created in his memory is ensuring

stationed stateside, he served as active duty USAF Honor Guard, demonstrating his great respect for the military

generations of young men and

service members who passed

women who share his pride in and

before him. He died in 2012 at

commitment to the U.S. military will receive the opportunity he never had.

Mitch and Debby Steenrod, Brandon’s parents, established the Brandon Alan Hall Memorial Scholarship to enable individuals affiliated with the U.S. military to pursue success and happiness by virtue of a Miami education. It is directed toward active duty/retired U.S. military, the children of active duty U.S. military or active members of Miami’s ROTC programs.

Brandon,” Debby said. “I think he’d be pleased knowing that this scholarship carrying his name will help people connected to the military who need and deserve support. Our hope is that they will pour their hearts and souls into their education like he poured his heart and soul into doing what he thought was right for the country.”

to serve his country, spent six years in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Among his four separate deployments to the Middle East, Hall served two at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan during periods of intense military activity. While

Susan E. Naus ’67 (President) Indianapolis, Ind. Bruce R. Henke ’72 (Vice President) Holmes Beach, Fla. Ellen Schubert ’83 (Treasurer) Old Greenwich, Conn.

Charles Landes ’74 (Secretary) Cincinnati, Ohio

Miami originated with their daughter, Katie Steenrod ’14, and their service on the Miami Parents Council. Originally drawn to Miami by the safe college environment, academic reputation and commitment to graduating students in four

Brandon Alan Hall and Katie Steenrod ’14

family chose to honor Brandon’s memory with a

deeply human side of Miami’s

Miami scholarship.

commitment when tragedy struck.

“Brandon passed during Katie’s finals week, and the faculty and staff at Miami were incredible,” Mitch said. “They got with her and helped her right away, and the understanding was incredible. There was no pressure on her regarding finals or anything else, only heartfelt support.”

Hall, who turned down college football scholarships

By Election

The Steenrods’ connection to

years, the family experienced a

“We never got to pay for a college education for

Miami University Foundation Board of Directors 2015

the age of 26.

communications last spring, and out of appreciation for Miami’s commitment to her success, the fond connection shared by Katie and Brandon, and Mitch and Debby’s experience on the Parents Council, the

Richard McVey ’81 Greenwich, Conn.

Dr. Richard Chaifetz Lake Forest, Ill.

Beth Mynhier ’82 Lake Forest, Ill.

James Chapman ’72 Powell, Ohio

Michael Oxley ’66 McLean, Va.

Thomas Grote ’86 Columbus, Ohio

Sylvia Stanfield ’65 Washington, D.C.

Thomas Hayden ’82 Cincinnati, Ohio

By appointment from University Board of trustees

Sue Henry ’73 Arlington, Va. Gary Killian ’81 Rye, N.Y.

Sharon J. Mitchell, ’73 Chair West Chester, Ohio Jagdish Bhati Cincinnati, Ohio

about rewarding young men and women with high integrity and respect for the U.S. military. According to Mitch, the recipient of a college scholarship himself, it is also about providing an additional nudge toward success.

“My scholarship made me feel accountable,” Mitch

Katie went on to complete her degree in

Mary Ann Casati ’77 New York, N.Y.

For the Steenrod family, Brandon’s scholarship is

said. “If someone I didn’t even know was willing to lay dollars on the line for me because I demonstrated merit, then I wasn’t going to let them down. I think it’s very important for someone to show that kind of confidence in you.”

By Service to Miami

Giving Tribute Staff

David Hodge President, Miami University

Editors

Ray Gorman Interim Provost/ Executive Vice President, Academic Affairs Tom Herbert Vice President, University Advancement/ Executive Director, Miami University Foundation David Creamer Vice President, Finance and Business Services/Treasurer Jayne Brownell Vice President, Student Affairs

Kim Tavares MBA ’12 Director, Advancement Communications Kevin Marks MS ’85 Senior Director of Development, Campaign Services Writing Vince Frieden Associate Director, Development Communications Emily Stewart ’07 Assistant Director, Advancement Communications Design Ali Place, Graphic Designer

Miami University Office of Development | Panuska Development Center | 725 East Chestnut Street | Oxford, OH 45056 | 513-529-1230 | MUDevelopment@MiamiOH.edu | ForLoveandHonor.org

ForLoveandHonor.org

11

GivingTribute

university ad v ancemen t

Miami surpasses fundraising goal by 121 percent in fiscal year 2014 Miami raised $45 million in new gifts and pledges

and foundations, and 16 percent by parents

during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014. This

and friends;

was 121 percent of the original goal and an increase of 9 percent over the prior fiscal year.

• Miami had 13 leadership commitments of $1 million or more, and 45 between $100,000-999,999;

Of the FY14 total: • 43 percent was designated

For the fiscal year, Miami’s

to scholarships, 22 percent

alumni participation rate

to academic programs, 19

increased to 20.6 percent,

percent to capital projects, 12 percent unrestricted, and

which is more than twice

4 percent to faculty, research

the national average for

and technology;

• $4.2 million was raised for the Annual Fund, up 18 percent from the previous fiscal year; • $22 million was given in the form of Planned Gifts, up 160 percent; • For the fiscal year, Miami’s

public universities.

alumni participation rate increased to 20.6 percent, which

• 50 percent was given by

is more than twice the national

Miami alumni, 34 percent by corporations

average for public universities.

Athletics facility projects gain momentum While construction has become an increasingly common site across Miami’s campus, that progress has been especially noticeable among Miami’s athletic facilities.

Millett Hall has undergone an initial phase of renovations that has included new seats and lighting; Goggin Ice Center received a weight room addition that provides new, centrally located training facilities for its ice hockey and synchronized skating programs;

East Wing Expansion planned for Armstrong Student Center

Construction is advancing quickly on the new

In February 2016, construction

impacting club sports, intramurals, marching

Indoor Sports Center, located beyond Yager Stadium’s north endzone. This facility will benefit all of Miami’s varsity sports while also band and the Oxford community.

begins on the Armstrong Student Center’s East Wing Expansion

Work recently began on the new Legacy

project. The project will connect

Project at Hayden Park, which will relocate

the completed first phase to the

Miami Baseball from Withrow Court and

former Culler Hall. Highlights of

provide new locker room facilities and

the three-level addition, which is

coaches’ offices.

slated to open in fall 2017, include the following:

Donor support is contributing significant momentum to the efforts, which are on the

• The relocation of Miami’s

front end of a larger facility master plan

Office of Career Services to the

intended to bring Miami’s Athletics facilities in

heart of campus;

line with peers both within the Mid-American Conference and nationally.

• An Associated Student Government Chambers;

ATRIUM VIEW

• The Red Zone Sports Grill and Game Room; • Additional, in-demand meeting rooms.

To learn more about the East Wing Expansion Project, visit ForLoveandHonor.org/ ArmstrongStudentCenter or contact Susie Brower Sadler ’84, senior director of development for the Armstrong Student Center, at 513-529-9217 or sadlers@MiamiOH.edu.

February 4, 2014

To learn more about funding priorities within Miami Athletics, contact Coleman Barnes, senior director of development for the department of intercollegiate athletics, at 513-529-8285 or barnesd@MiamiOH.edu.

ForLoveandHonor.org/GivingTribute Check us out online for full versions of all stories in Giving Tribute as well as the following bonus content:

Kamerschen Gift Supports Women in Leadership

Watson Gift Honors Miami and Military Experiences

Learn how the women in his life and an

Though Donald Watson ’67 received

experience involving a risqué designer

two very different experiences during

perfume influenced the perspective of

his time at Miami University and in the

1957 graduate and marketing executive

U.S. Air Force, he credits both those

Robert “Kam” Kamerschen.

experiences for helping him chart a successful life course.

12

ForLoveandHonor.org