WMU News

Gifts to WMU remain on record-setting pace

Jan. 24, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University received cash gifts totaling nearly $5 million between July 1 and Nov. 30, 2000, according to a report presented to the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees at its Jan. 19 meeting.

The fiscal year-to-date total of $4,986,860 in cash gifts received through Nov. 30 is $274,996 or about 5.8 percent more than the total received for the same five months one year ago. During the previous fiscal year, 1999-2000, the university set new records in several gift categories, including cash gifts ($13.3 million) and total gifts ($17.5 million).

According to the report presented to the WMU trustees, current and deferred cash gifts received by the WMU Foundation for the 2000-01 fiscal year totaled $4,768,482, through Nov. 30. An additional $218,378 in cash gifts was received by the Paper Technology Foundation, which supports the internationally known paper programs at WMU. All gifts to Western Michigan University are received through these two foundations.

Total gifts to the university, including non-cash gifts such as equipment and property, totaled $5,820,190 for the first five months of the 2000-01 fiscal year. That represents an increase of $549,624, or about 10 percent compared to the same period during fiscal 1999-2000.

A total of $642,023 was received in cash gifts during November 2000. Among the larger gifts received during the month was the final distribution of $53,154 from the estate of Marguerite J. Beilfuss of Kalamazoo, who died in April 2000. Her husband, Grant E. Bielfuss, who died in 1986, was a 1929 graduate of WMU. Their estate gifts were designated for the Beilfuss Scholarship Fund in the College of Education.

A gift of $10,000 was also received from Mr. and Mrs. John and Helen Wattles of Kalamazoo for the new Donald J Seelye Athletic Center. The Wattles are both graduates of WMU. Jack Wattles is a past director of both the WMU Foundation and the WMU Alumni Association.

Media contact: Thom Myers, 616 387-8400, thomas.myers@wmich.edu


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