Meet Our Donors | Ohio Wesleyan University

Supporters Like You

We are thankful for those who have made an estate gift to Ohio Wesleyan University. Here are their stories.

Bonnie Faulkner

Celebrating the Love of All Things Red and Black—Bonnie and Harry ‘63 Faulkner

Losing a spouse is always hard, especially when the loss occurs on your birthday. Bonnie Faulkner still misses her late husband, Harry Faulkner ‘63, who passed in 2021. Yet even through her grief, Bonnie knew she could continue to celebrate Harry and honor their life’s work through their giving to OWU.

Jody and Kevin Garvey

Paying it Forward: Jody ʼ79 and Kevin Garvey

Calling it “the easiest way to make a planned gift,” Jody (Stambaugh) Garvey ʼ79 and her husband, Kevin, named OWU as a beneficiary of their IRA. Here’s what Ohio Wesleyan meant to her and to her family, including two sons who also graduated from OWU.

From OWU to T-Bone: Kathy Suchy '78 Experiences the Impact of Lifelong Learning

According to Kathy Suchy ʼ78, “It’s difficult to name a ‘favorite’ memory. However, spending all-nighters studying in Slocum Hall has to be at the top of the list.”

David Ferris holds up oversized check for OWU at Foundation event

“As an estate planning attorney for over 40 years, I’ve learned some valuable lessons”: David Ferris ’73

We asked OWU alum David Ferris ’73, for his advice to those considering their own estate planning needs.

Dave and Binney Brown Fouts

“From the Wisdom and Strength We Gained at OWU”: Dave ’73 and Binney Brown Fouts ’73

Dave and Binney emphasize education in their charitable giving, so supporting Ohio Wesleyan University was a natural choice.

"If this was the type of person who went to OWU, then this is where I want to be": Jason Malone '97

The story of how Jason Malone ’97 chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan captures the essence of what makes the university special.

Buzz Heeschen and Peggy Collins Heeschen

Q&A with Tower Society Members and Scholarship Recipient

Learn more about Tower Society members, Buzz Heeschen ‘63 and Peggy Collins Heeschen ’64 and the recipient of their scholarship, Alex Reidell '23.

Laura Pierce Bump

A Trailblazer On and Off the Court: Laura Pierce Bump ‘58

When the late Laura Pierce Bump ’58 was celebrated as an OWU Alumni Award winner in 2013 it was said, “When we think of Laura, of course we think of sports.” A 1958 OWU graduate with a degree in Physical Education, Laura was an active participant in student life, including as a member of the YWCA, Red Cross, Panhellenic Council, Alpha Xi Delta and as student body vice president her senior year.

Ken Sternard and Judy White Sternad

“Friending Up:” Ken Sternad ʼ77

Ken Sternard ‘77 knows a thing or two about the OWU legacy. Throughout his upbringing, the core values of Ohio Wesleyan were instilled in him by his father, George Sternad ‘48. George was an ardent supporter of Ohio Wesleyan, who “bled purple for Fiji and red and black for OWU.”

Melissa and Rock Jones

Thinking about legacy: President Rock Jones and Melissa Lollar Jones

Outgoing OWU President Rock Jones is enhancing our legacy by remembering us in his and wife Melissa’s estate plan. The gift allows OWU and our students to flourish far into the future, even when unforeseen challenges arise.

Meet Elizabeth Dale ’04

Like many other prospective students, choosing a university was a difficult decision for Elizabeth Dale ’04, Ph.D. And like many other students, Elizabeth came to OWU in part because of the generosity of alumni and donors through endowments and scholarships.

Meredith and Sterling Pfeiffer

Going the Extra (3/4) Mile

“The church and Ohio Wesleyan were the two pillars my grandfather always counted on,” says grandson of Sterling Pfeiffer ’38. Read how Sterling and his wife, Meredith, built a legacy that will positively impact OWU students and their community for generations to come.

Kathrine Grissom

OWU Strong: From Loss to Legacy

Kathrine Grissom '92 is honoring her late mother's selflessness with an estate gift to OWU. The Mary Ellen Grissom Endowed Fund will provide comprehensive support for first-generation students at OWU.

Making Affordable Education a Reality

A retired head and neck surgeon, Dr. Diane Y. Petersen ’66 attended OWU on scholarship. Using both a planned gift and a cash gift to finance an endowed scholarship, Diane is able to support students who need the help now.

Grace Ison and Carissa Silet

Service Scholars

Grace Ison '23 and Carissa Silet '23 created a small living community for students who share a commitment to community service. They can continue their learning and leadership thanks to scholarship support.

Inspiring Students With Faculty Innovation

The Shanklin Family knows well that great things happen when great minds are given the resources to learn and create. Dr. Robert E. Shanklin served as department chair of Geology for 16 years and was instrumental in establishing the Geography major. Dr. Shanklin touched the lives of thousands of students over his 45 years at Ohio Wesleyan, many of whom still remember him fondly decades later.

Kathy Mandusic Finley

Taking the Back Roads to OWU

It was by chance that Kathy Mandusic Finley '77 stumbled upon Ohio Wesleyan. Her mother was determined that Kathy have the college education that she wasn't able to, so the two embarked on college visits together. On the way back from a lackluster visit to another college, Kathy and her mother decided to take the back roads home and came upon OWU. It was late on a Friday afternoon, but they stopped in the admission office, where a staff member stayed to take them all over campus, impressing them with a personal touch.

Investing in Ohio Wesleyan, Today and Tomorrow

Like many Ohio Wesleyan alumni, John Bassett '63 and Kay Hobart Bassett '63 share happy memories of their years at Ohio Wesleyan and of their many experiences after OWU, including their wedding in 1964. They recall the vibrancy of OWU's liberal arts campus, strong friendships, and especially the memorable professors whose voices linger long after they've gone.

Hard Work and Thoughtful Planning

Dr. Jim Morris believed in the importance of education, and deeply valued the education he received at OWU. His gift will benefit OWU students for years to come.

Returning What's Been Given

In high school, Daly Walker '62 originally came to Ohio Wesleyan's campus with the intent of visiting his sister, who was already a student there. Little did he realize, he was visiting the right college for him, too.

Lifelong Legacy

Wendy Wood '76 has had a lifelong love for Ohio Wesleyan. To honor her time at OWU and make a difference for future students, Wendy made us a part of her legacy.

Nault Knows Best

Dick Nault has devoted four decades of his life to OWU. He also created an endowment that will help OWU students for years to come.

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(K)Nocking at Your Door

Denis Nock '58 has had a plethora of successful experiences and challenges during his six-plus decades at such prestigious international companies as Bristol-Meyers, Hayden-Miller & Company investment bankers, and for the past 19 years, Colorado Financial Management (CFM) in Boulder.