Donor Stories

Dr. Ken and Noriko Hashimoto
Research in the Department of Dermatology at Wayne State University has a promising future, thanks to Dr. Ken Hashimoto and his wife Noriko. The Hashimotos recently made a significant bequest to establish the Dr. Ken Hashimoto and Noriko Hashimoto Endowed Chair in the Department of Dermatology and Syphilology with a significant bequest.

Thomas and Harold Oehmke
Thomas H. Oehmke, an undergrad from WSU's Monteith College and the College of Education, completed Wayne State University Law School in 1973. During his 33 years as an arbitrator and litigator, Tom has argued before the U. S. Supreme Court in the hallmark case of Burger King vs. Rudzewicz, now a staple for first year civil procedure students.

Harold Oehmke, Tom's father, also an attorney and DCL law grad, created a generous trust in Tom's name as part of his estate planning, using savings earned over the years.

Anne Harnett
Alumna Anne Harnett has a passion for all things Italian.

"My planned gift through my estate to create a scholarship for students to study design in Italy fulfills my dream of providing significant life-enhancing experiences to new generations of students."

Robert Wingerter
The Wingerter Awards for Excellence in Engineering Scholarship is the highest honor an engineering student can receive and only the top students are selected. Most people affiliated with the college recognize the name and the image of Wingerter, which often appears in college publications in articles announcing the award winners. But few people know the man himself.

M. Ann Wallace
M. Ann Wallace (PA '73) came to Detroit from California to attend graduate school. Thirty-five years later, she still is here and giving back to the University, which she credits for her intellectual and social development and professional achievements.

Paul and Mary Glantz
Paul and Mary Glantz have established the Paul A. and Mary K. Glantz Family Endowed Scholarship in the School of Business Administration by making Wayne State University the owner and beneficiary of their $1 million life insurance policy.

Susanne Spiegel & Stephen Williams
Susanne Spiegel served Wayne State University for more than 25 years, retiring as Associate Executive Director, Office of Alumni Relations. Stephen Williams received his Bachelor's degree in political science in 1972 and Master's degree in education in 1974 at Wayne State.

Susanne and Stephen have pledged to create the Susanne Spiegel and Stephen S. Williams Endowed Scholarship in Political Science for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from their joint estate.

Susan Bristol
Susan Bristol has a Bachelors of Art with distinction in Political Science, graduating as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a Masters in Public Administration. Through her estate plan, Susan will create the Susan B. Bristol Endowed Scholarship in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Rob Fournier
Soon after becoming Athletic Director at Wayne State University in August 2000, Rob Fournier realized the critical need for general support for the Athletics program. In response to the university's Faculty and Staff Campaign in 2005, he and his wife Pamela determined to establish a provision in their estate plans to support the Athletics program in the future.

Amelia Wilhelm
In honor of her husband, Dr. Rudolf Wilhelm, who died of cancer in 2000, Amelia Wilhelm has created The Christopher D. Wilhelm, M.D. and Mark P. Wilhelm, M.D. Endowment for Research in Cancer with the residual of the annuity she started with the School of Medicine.

Joy Baxt
Joy Baxt is leaving a generous gift to the general fund of the College of Nursing through her will. "I don't know what the needs of the college will be at that time, so I'm not specifying a purpose for this money," Joy said.

Kim Cross
Kim Cross has made a bequest from her IRA in support of Wayne State University's Veterinary Technician program. This two-year degree program, in collaboration with Wayne County Community College, prepares students to be assistants in veterinary offices.

Diane M. Rockall
Diane Rockall's Charitable Gift Annuity will support the Diane M. Rockall Library and Information Science Endowed Scholarship, the Diane M. Rockall Endowed Fund in Alumni Affairs, the University Libraries General Fund, and the Women of Wayne and Alumni Association boards.

Margot Kahl
Former teacher Margot Kahl, Cert. '58, M.Ed. '63, has designated a generous bequest in her trust for the Dean's Discretionary Fund in the College of Education. She views her planned gift as a way to repay Wayne State University for giving her the opportunity to find her calling in life.
 

Jean Berlowitz
It has been almost 38 years since I set sail for Germany for my junior year abroad, and it has been almost 37 years since I returned to the US a wiser and much more interesting person. What happened to me?