Annual Giving
Rogers Society Luncheon Celebrates Generosity, Belief in the Future of Northwestern
The Rogers Society honors and recognizes alumni and friends who have included the University in their estate plans
“Northwestern is a very special place to be,” Provost Jonathan Holloway told more than 100 members of the Henry and Emma Rogers Society, who came together on May 16, 2019, to celebrate the impact of planned giving at Northwestern University. The Rogers Society honors and recognizes alumni and friends who have included the University in their estate plans.
Northwestern, one of the top universities in the world, has been on a “rocketship trajectory” over the past 15 years in part because of the many faculty members who hold appointments in more than one academic department and school, said Holloway. Speaking at the seventh annual Rogers Society Luncheon, which took place in Scott Hall on the Evanston campus, he said that this interdisciplinary focus is what sets Northwestern apart from its peers and uniquely positions the University to answer important questions in the years ahead.
Holloway expressed thanks to Rogers Society members for believing in the future of the University, even though it is something “we can’t quite yet imagine.”
“When I think about an audience like this one, especially on this occasion of planned gifts, I am in awe because you are making a commitment to something that is beyond your line of sight,” Holloway said. “Your commitment is a declaration that says there’s something in the future which is worthy of your investment and that Northwestern is the place where that investment belongs. We are humbled by your faith in us and the belief that your bequest belongs here.”
The 2019 luncheon was emceed by Rogers Society member and University Trustee Bon French ’75, ’76 MBA, who shared the importance of planned gifts to Northwestern and appreciation for generous alumni and friends who have made them. He and his wife, Holly, joined the Rogers Society in 2018, when they made a bequest commitment to benefit the Kellogg School of Management as well as the University generally.
Since last year’s luncheon, the Rogers Society has welcomed 98 new members and recorded 240 new planned gifts and commitments totaling nearly $84 million, said Camille Licklider, executive director of planned giving. Membership now exceeds 1,950, with members living in 46 states and nine countries. Planned gifts make up over 14 percent of giving to Northwestern during We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern for a total of nearly $631 million.
David Zarefsky ’68, ’69 MS, ’74 PhD, professor emeritus and former dean of Northwestern’s School of Communication, was among the Rogers Society members who attended the luncheon this year. The triple alumnus and longtime faculty member met his wife, Nikki, at Northwestern in 1968. They were married for nearly 45 years. Before Nikki passed away in 2015, the Zarefskys decided to include Northwestern in their estate plans with a bequest that will benefit the School of Communication. As a former dean, he saw the difference fundraising made in academic and co-curricular programs, faculty initiatives, student life, and more.
“I understand how essential philanthropic support is to the University,” said Zarefsky, who has made an annual gift every year since shortly after he graduated. “Through our estates, we’re in a position to have the biggest possible impact on Northwestern.”
University Trustee Deborah Brady ’65 also attended the luncheon. She and her late husband, Larry, established charitable remainder trusts at Northwestern to benefit the Brady Scholars Program in Ethics and Civic Life, an academic program in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences that focuses on the ethical, social, and political issues of today.
“I am proud to give back to Northwestern and to help our students recognize and address the vexing problems that face our communities, our nation, and our world,” she said. “Planned giving helps me ensure that future generations of students continue to benefit from these opportunities.”
After the luncheon, many guests toured the newly renovated Seeley G. Mudd Library, including its resource materials, student study spaces, 3-D printers, and presentation studio. The tour also included the Astrahan Information Center, which was created by a bequest of Joanne and Morton Astrahan ’45, ’49 PhD. He studied engineering at Northwestern, spent his professional career at IBM, and became known as a pioneer in computing. After he passed away in 1988, his wife worked with Northwestern to honor his memory in the library.
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.