Annual Giving
Rogers Society Celebrates Impact and Innovation at 2017 Luncheon
More than 100 members of the Henry and Emma Rogers Society gathered at Northwestern University for the group’s fifth annual luncheon on May 19.
At the event—held on the Evanston campus in Guild Lounge in Scott Hall—attendees celebrated the impact of their giving and enjoyed a presentation by Julio Ottino, dean of the McCormick School of Engineering.
The Rogers Society recognizes the generosity of 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. Ottino—who spoke about Northwestern’s unique “whole-brain” approach to engineering education—thanked those present “for keeping Northwestern among the highest priorities in your plans.”
Also speaking at the luncheon was Dan Jones ’61, ’91 P, a Northwestern trustee and co-chair of the Gift Planning Committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern. “Planned gifts are one of the things that make it possible for the University to make commitments and plan into the future with confidence,” said Jones. He noted that 578 new planned gifts have been made through the “We Will” Campaign, representing almost $280 million in support.
The society has welcomed a record 115 new members since last year’s luncheon, said Camille Licklider, executive director for gift planning, bringing total membership to 1,880. Members live in 47 states and on four continents and support hundreds of areas across Northwestern with their philanthropy.
David Freedman ’81, a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, attended the luncheon from Palm Springs, California. “It’s always good to catch up with people, but what I enjoy most is hearing about the new and innovative things the University is doing,” said Freedman, who serves on the Medill Justice Project’s board of advisers.
Freedman and other society members toured the Neuroscience and Robotics Lab on campus following Ottino’s remarks, which highlighted the ways that philanthropy has fueled Northwestern’s eminence in engineering. They spoke with students and got a firsthand look at research projects involving robots, touch screens, and other novel technologies.
In 2017, Freedman made a $3 million bequest to advance the study of reporting on social justice issues at Medill by establishing the David F. Freedman Fund for Social Justice Reporting Initiatives.
“I’m proud that I’m helping to support one of the great institutions that is preserving our country and its democracy,” says Freedman, who worked as a reporter before embarking on a successful corporate legal career. “I hope it inspires others to commit to whatever they feel is most important at Northwestern.”
Sandi Riggs ’65, also in attendance, has made planned gifts to benefit the University Libraries, the Block Museum of Art, and the School of Communication. She serves as a gift planning co-chair for the “We Will” Campaign with Jones and Thomas Hayward ’62, ’65 JD, ’89 P, ’90 P, ’94 P, Trustee.
“If you have some particular area of Northwestern that you love, whether it's art or athletics or whatever it is, making a planned gift is a wonderful way of supporting the University," says Riggs.
For more information about the Rogers Society and its benefits, or to discuss making a planned gift to Northwestern, contact the Office of Gift Planning at 800-826-6709 or giftplanning@northwestern.edu.