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We are thankful for those who have made an estate gift to University of Detroit Mercy. Here are their stories.

Lloyd E. Fitzgerald

A Legacy of Giving Lives On

Fitzgerald’s legacy lives on in the Fitzgerald Scholarship, awarded by the College of Business Administration to a graduating senior who demonstrates scholarship, leadership and service to the University. Thanks to the annual contributions of his three sons, this scholarship in their father’s name continues for nontraditional students who want to pursue a career in business.

Patricia D. Kennedy-Scott

Scholarship Gift Tells Others They Belong

Patricia D. Kennedy-Scott ’78 is a leader in the healthcare industry—and she is paying it forward by paving the way for future African American women to succeed, just like her.

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My Giving Story: John Roche ’57

John Roche and his wife of 62 years, Maureen, have had a good life and he credits their success to his University of Detroit School of Law education. It’s one of the reasons he has supported the University financially for decades.

An Enduring Respect Shared Between Student and Faculty Member Inspires Scholarship

Suzanne L. Hudson ’74 began her first year as a University of Detroit student in 1971, the same year she crossed paths with a faculty member who left a lasting impression on her. Through planned giving, Hudson ensures that tomorrow’s students can enjoy an unmatched undergraduate experience as memorable as her own.

Nandita deSouza

Behind Every Tribute Gift Is a Special Person

Tribute gifts to Detroit Mercy always have unique stories behind them. See how two new scholarships help families build legacies that honor the past and promote a vision for the future.

Michael Dundorf

Estate Planning: One Donor’s Story

Knowing his family was taken care of, Michael Dundorf ’65 was pleased to provide for organizations he cares about, like University of Detroit Mercy, through his estate plan.

Barry and Kristi Feder

'Nothing but Great Things'

Barry Feder and his wife, Kristi, have had a life of great things, thanks to Feder's education at Detroit Mercy Dental. Their estate gift to the University acknowledges the part the School played in their lives.

Edward A. Khoury

A Gift to Tomorrow's Titans of Law

Edward A. Khoury '51 filled his 93 years with adventure and accomplishments. And though he has passed away, he will still be doing great things for others far into the future, thanks to a generous gift he left Detroit Mercy Law in his estate plan.

Charles Lucas, M.D.

Planned Giving Provides Opportunity

Charles Lucas, M.D., '59 was the youngest of four sons of immigrant farmers. They didn't have much, he said, but they had a strong work ethic, a deep sense that they should help others and a healthy respect for education.

A Major Bequest From a Humble Alumnus

"This is probably the largest check I've ever held," said University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry Dean Mert Aksu. The check—for $700,000—was made out to Detroit Mercy Dental and was a bequest to the School in the will of a grateful alumnus.

Why Does He Give? Because It's His Duty

Poncé Clay '15, '18 knows something about duty. This sense he owed something for his many blessings led the Detroit native to join the U.S. Navy at 17.

Gloria and David Mog

A Gift That Pays Back

A growing number of supporters are giving back to University of Detroit Mercy by including charitable gift annuities in their estate plans because of the benefits of the gift.

Alumna’s Gift Will Benefit Leadership Programming

Programming designed to help Detroit Mercy students develop leadership skills will be strengthened and expanded thanks to a generous gift from a pioneering graduate of the Class of 1943. Mary Gertrude Hindelang was one of the first female graduates of the Accounting program at University of Detroit, breaking new ground in a field dominated by men.

Phyllis Peters Look and Cal Look

A Lifetime of Giving Together

As a high school student in a small Iowa town, Phyllis Peters Look '51 did not think she would ever attend college. It was only after an aunt living in Detroit called and said she would pay for Peters' college education if she came out to Detroit and lived with her that it became an option.

A Gift and a Challenge

Thomas E. Page describes himself as a regular guy—"Call me Tom," he says—but he's much more than that. In his retirement, the former police officer has taken on the roles of ad hoc ambassador for the city of Detroit and promoter and devotee of bicycling in the city.

Jane Kay Nugent

Making a Difference Today for Tomorrow

From a young age, Jane Kay Nugent ’48, knew she wanted her life to make a difference. As a woman in the male-dominated field of business, she did just that, breaking glass ceilings at Detroit Edison, donating treasure and talent as a philanthropist and volunteer, and advocating for equal employment opportunities for all.

Grady family support spans philanthropy and volunteerism

Based on his decades-long commitment to the University of Detroit Mercy, Dan Grady ‘54 is considered to be an honorary emeritus board member. Over the years, Dan has been a member of the College of Business Administration Advisory Board, a 20-year member of the Board of Trustees, former president of the President's Cabinet and a founding member of the Jesuit 100.

Catherine Caraher

Professor Catherine Caraher estate benefits CLAE

History Professor Catherine Caraher left an estate gift to Detroit Mercy through a Charitable Remainder Trust that will be used to support scholarships and renovations at the Jane and Walter Briggs Building, where most of the College of Liberal Arts & Education courses are taught.

Enterprising engineer leaves impressive legacy

James Dirkes '50 parlayed his education in architectural engineering into an entrepreneurial enterprise that provided climate control to some of the nation's largest industrial complexes. He often recalled his days on the McNichols campus and the important things he learned that impacted his life going forward.

Brad Simmons gives back to Detroit Mercy as an advisor and donor

Professors of the College of Business Administration educated Brad Simmons '79, '84 not only about accounting and finance, but also about ethics as a way to assess and solve problems. Those attributes have served him well in his 30-plus years at Ford Motor Co.

Liberal Arts graduates draw up estate plans to give back to Detroit Mercy

Paul J. Proulx '96 and Peggy Finster '95, both lawyers, living in Manhattan's Financial District with their three young children, have recently named University of Detroit Mercy in their estate plans.

Husband-Wife Physicians Remember Detroit Mercy in Their Estate Plan

After Dr. Thomas Snider, M.D. '47 died on Jan. 30, 2001, his wife, Dr. Irene Sheehan, M.D., lived another 10 years. With the couple's passing, their estate plan designated funds for University of Detroit Mercy. The bequest has helped fund recent campus renovations.

Stocker Estate Supports Scholarships

Attending U of D was both a personal and family achievement for each of the four Stocker siblings: Cecilia (Stocker) Worrel '47, Robert Stocker '54, Katherine (Stocker) Brady '50 and Joseph William (Bill) Stocker, Jr. '49. Their parents wanted them to have a Catholic education.

Estate Giving Creates Memorable Legacy

When Wilfred Swartz of Los Angeles died at age 87, he left a legacy to the University of Detroit Mercy in the form of a large estate gift.

Discovering the True Value of a Home

Carl graduated in 1965 with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy. He met his wife, Linda, a Marygrove alumna, at a U of D basketball game. They bought a house in Troy and raised a family of five boys there. After a long career at Ford, Carl retired, and he and Linda traveled to Europe and other places they always wanted to see. Sadly, Linda became seriously ill about five years ago and passed away recently.

Lawrence Cotman

Dental Scholarship Honors Life of Alumni Lawrence Cotman

Detroit Mercy alumnus Lawrence Cotman D.D.S. '51 enjoyed life but he enjoyed it most by making life a little easier for those around him. He operated his dental practice for more than 41 years in Detroit, and throughout that time, provided free treatment to many, including life-long free care to the nuns at St. Thomas parish and to the families of the Naval Reserves.

Karl Gschneidner

The Gschneidners Stress The Importance Of Education By Designating Detroit Mercy As A Beneficiary

Karl Gschneidner '52, believed that a good education makes a positive difference in the world. His desire for students to achieve success in their studies is the reason he and his wife, Melba, have designated the University of Detroit Mercy as one of the beneficiaries in their will.

Charitable Remainder Trust Repays Debt of Gratitude

Giving back to the University of Detroit Mercy was high on the list of priorities when Richard Elander (E&S '55, GR '56) and his wife, Barbara, sat down to draw up their estate plan. The Elanders met as students at the University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in biology.