Western Foundation Receives Bequests to Support Students

Longtime Western supporter Marie Fulkerson bequeathed funds to the MWSU Foundation to establish two endowed scholarships.

"One of the simplest, most effective and most flexible ways of making a substantial gift to Missouri Western State University is to leave a bequest in your will," said Dan Nicoson, Western's vice president for university advancement.

Nicoson, who also serves as executive director of the Missouri Western State University Foundation, said that the Foundation recently received two bequests from longtime supporters of Western. Marie Fulkerson passed away Jan. 6, 2009, at the age of 108, and the MWSU Foundation received a gift of $600,000 from Marie's estate to establish two $300,000 endowed scholarships.

The scholarships, named the A. B. DeMuth Business Award and the A. B. DeMuth Business Award in honor of Lyman M. Fulkerson, will award up to 75% of tuition and room and board for on-campus students and up to 100% of tuition for off-campus students. The scholarships are available to graduates of high schools in Buchanan, Andrew and Holt Counties. The students must be full-time sophomores, juniors or seniors with a declared major in business, demonstrate financial need and possess a cumulative-grade-point average of 2.5 or higher.

"Marie recognized the value of a partnership between the university and the community, and we truly appreciate her generosity," said Nicoson. "Her gifts will benefit students and the community for many years to come."

Herb '35 and Peggy Iffert also named the university in their wills. A charitable trust fund of almost $4 million was established, with the Ifferts' church and the MWSU Foundation named as beneficiaries. The Foundation will receive 65% of the annual interest income from the fund. The funds will increase the Herb Iffert Business Scholarship Fund that Herb had established several years earlier. Their generosity will also provide funds to purchase equipment for the sciences.

Herb and Peggy Iffert, two of Western's most ardent supporters, named the university in their wills to support future generations of Western students.

"These types of gifts are very special," said Jerry Pickman '85, director of development. "Throughout their lifetimes, Herb and Peggy developed a love for Western and a philanthropic spirit, and to know that they remembered the university in their wills means a lot to the university."

Peggy, who attended the Junior College for a brief period, was a 22-year member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and an active volunteer. Herb, who was vice president of finance for St. Joseph Light and Power, was also an active volunteer for Western and had served as a member of the MWSU Foundation Board of Directors.

These bequests are good examples of the flexibility available to donors who wish to support the education objectives of Western and its students. Will bequests can be arranged in a variety of ways and can be drafted to reflect even the most specific wishes.

There are several advantages to a will bequest. Through a bequest, donors may be able to make a much larger donation than they could have afforded during life. And donors are not limited to gifts of cash-stocks, bonds or other assets can also be bequeathed. You should seek advice from your lawyer and financial advisor to ensure that your gift meets your goals and provides the maximum benefit to your beneficiaries and the university.

As a means of thanking those who have included the MWSU Foundation in their estate plan, the Foundation's board of directors established the Clock Tower Society. Those who notify the Foundation that it is a beneficiary of their estate plan through a will or other deferred gift arrangement, and who grant permission to be listed, are recognized as members of the Clock Tower Society. Donors who become members of this group can be certain that future generations of students and faculty will profit from their foresight and generosity.