We are thankful for those who have made an estate gift to University of Detroit Mercy. Here are their stories.
Free Estate Planning Tool
Join fellow Detroit Mercy supporters on Giving Docs, a safe, secure and free-for-life suite of estate plan essentials.
Get Started
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
'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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More