Annual Giving
Rogers Society Members Honored at 2016 Luncheon
Northwestern University recognized the generosity of more than 100 members of the Henry and Emma Rogers Society at its fourth annual luncheon on May 20.
The society acknowledges alumni and friends who have included the University in their estate plans through charitable bequests, gift annuities, remainder trusts, and other forms of planned gifts. A newly renovated Guild Lounge in Scott Hall on the Evanston campus was the site of this year’s luncheon.
Sandi Riggs ’65, co-chair of the Gift Planning Committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern, welcomed guests and thanked them for their commitment. “In our roles, we are honored to support efforts to grow the number and value of planned gifts for the University to ensure a strong future,” said Riggs. “We are here to thank you for the ways your gifts will impact the future of Northwestern.”
Camille Licklider, executive director for gift planning, reported that 92 new members had joined the society since last year’s luncheon, which brings the total number of members close to 1,800. Commitments from these new members represent $37 million in new gifts that also count towards the participation and dollar goals of the “We Will” Campaign. “Planned gifts allow for expanded programming and state-of-the-art facilities on each of our campuses. They also enable Northwestern to recruit world-renowned faculty and one of the best and brightest student bodies in the world,” said Licklider.
Keynote speaker Lisa Corrin talked about the impact that Rogers Society members have on the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art. “Planned gifts are so important because they enable us to plan for the future with confidence,” said Corrin, the museum’s Ellen Philips Katz Director. “We’ve received bequests that support exhibitions, the building, and conservation of our art collection. These gifts make possible much of the exciting programming we do at the Block today and are critical to the success of the Campaign for the Block and for Northwestern.”
Corrin highlighted how an estate gift from Eloise W. Martin has left an indelible mark on the Block Museum. Although the Northwestern philanthropist and parent of two alumnae may be best remembered for the reading room at Deering Library named in her honor, she also made a transformative bequest to the museum, which named the Eloise W. Martin Study Center in her honor. With its excellent lighting, seating, and art storage, the space is central to the exploration and interpretation of art at Northwestern, Corrin said. Following the luncheon, guests traveled to the Block for a tour where they could see firsthand how planned gifts have shaped the museum.
Rogers Society members Susan ’71, MS ’72 and Bill Jones ’72, MBA ’75, who attended the luncheon, established a bequest to support University Libraries and the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications in 2015.
“I’m fascinated by the changing role of libraries in a digital age, and I’m confident that Northwestern’s libraries are staying ahead of the curve to provide the best resources for students now and in the future,” said Susan Jones, a marketing professor at Ferris State University who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Medill. Her husband, Bill, who earned degrees from the McCormick School of Engineering and Kellogg School of Management and worked in technical sales, added, “I’m happiest wandering around well-stocked libraries and would like to maintain the quality of the Seeley G. Mudd Library at Tech.”
The Joneses’ legacy at the University goes beyond philanthropy. Two of their sons are Northwestern graduates, and one married into a family with strong connections to Kellogg. “Being a ‘purple family’ is a tremendous blessing and bond for us. Just as we have, our sons keep close ties to their Northwestern friends, which warms my heart,” said Susan Jones.
For benefactors like the Joneses, the event is becoming an annual tradition. “With a terrific lunch, stimulating program, and wonderful people, I can’t imagine missing the next Rogers Society Luncheon,” said Bill Jones.
For more information about the Rogers Society and its benefits, or to discuss making a planned gift to Northwestern University, contact the Office of Gift Planning at 800-826-6709 or giftplanning@northwestern.edu