Class of ’67 announces $10M gift during Alumni Weekend 2017

WOOSTER, Ohio – The fiftieth reunion class of 1967 announced a $10 million gift to mark their milestone anniversary, and hundreds of the Scot faithful returned to Wooster’s campus June 8-11 for Alumni Weekend 2017.

Nancy Wilkin Sutherland, reunion chair for the class of 1967, and class co-presidents Susanne Johnston Leggett and Stephen Schreiber announced the gift during the 113th annual meeting of the college’s alumni association on Saturday morning in Gault Recital Hall of Scheide Music Center. The $10 million represents all funds raised and commitments made by the class during the five years leading up to their fiftieth reunion. Portions of that total will support the Wooster Fund, the Ruth W. Williams Hall of Life Science, and APEX, as well as the class’s flagship project, a new endowed professorship to honor Howard Lowry, who served as Wooster’s president from 1944 to 1967.
When combined with giving by other reunion classes, Saturday’s announcement pushed the total raised to date in the Wooster’s Promise campaign to just over $160 million, against a goal of $165 million.
Sutherland was also honored with the John D. McKee Alumni Volunteer Award, given annually to recognize outstanding service to the college. In accepting the award, Sutherland declared that “working on Wooster’s behalf is simply a return on what Wooster has given to me.”
That theme was echoed by Charles J. Nusbaum ’02, recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Harking back to his experience as a Boy Scout, he recalled that on every camping trip, the troop leader would exhort them to leave the campsite better than they found it. “Wooster left me better than it found me,” Nusbaum said, and that is why he is so passionate about giving back.
Lester P. Hauschild ’57, who received the Sara L. Patton Stewardship Award, urged his fellow alumni to “be a good supporter of the Wooster Fund. Pick your level and then grow from there as you can.”
On Saturday afternoon, three individuals were recognized with the college’s highest alumni honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award, given to those who exemplify Wooster’s dedication to excellence and commitment to service, and who have distinguished themselves in one or more aspects of their professional lives, service to humanity, or service to Wooster. This year’s honorees were:
Dr. T. William Evans ’60, a dentist and physician who is internationally known as a pioneer in two distinct areas, facial esthetic surgery, and emergency and acute care medicine. Evans also served as a member of the college’s board of trustees from 1989 to 2010.
Judith E. Patterson ’63, who switched career paths from middle school teacher to lawyer and became a tireless advocate providing legal counsel to children in the Pennsylvania juvenile court system for more than 30 years.
Laurie Priest ’77, who, in 24 years the chair of physical education and director of athletics at Mount Holyoke College, built a national reputation as an advocate for equity in sport for girls and women, and for her work to combat bullying and homophobia in high school and intercollegiate athletics.
The College of Wooster is America’s premier college for mentored undergraduate research. By working one-on-one with a faculty adviser to conceive, organize, and complete an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit, every Wooster student develops independent judgment, analytical ability, creativity, project management and time-management skills, and strong written and oral communication skills. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 2,000 students.

Image: Nancy Wilkin Sutherland, Susanne Johnston Leggett, and Stephen Schreiber (standing, l to r) announce a $10 million gift from the class of 1967, as Alumni Association President Kenneth E. Aldridge ’90, Director of Alumni Engagement Tom McArthur, and President Sarah Bolton (seated, l to r) applaud.

View the Alumni Weekend 2017 photo gallery

Posted in News on June 12, 2017.