Room to grow
Call it the new four-year plan. UD introduced a program last year that calls for a hands-off fundraising approach with new graduates. When UD graduates get their diplomas in the mail, they come with a note saying their alma mater will not ask them for donations for four years, said Christopher Morrison, interim vice president for advancement. “They gave us four years,” Morrison told the Dayton Daily News in a Feb. 14 story. “We want to give them four years. In year five when they come back for their reunion, at that point we hope they start giving. Their careers are a little more established. “It’s a gamble, but frankly it’s one we’re really excited to take.” UD reported $28.2 million in gifts in fiscal year 2015, helped in part by a $7 million gift from Fuyao Glass America to support the UD China Institute. “We are a tuition-based university, so we don’t get large funding from the government,” Morrison told the newspaper. “One of the largest aspects of support we get is through fundraising. It’s very important, in addition to the tuition.” —Shelby Quinlivan ’06
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Reunion resolutions Call it a challenge to all fellow UD alumni. After a visit to campus for the first time since graduating in 1969, the women of 1614 Alberta St. crafted a plan to ensure other alumni reconnect, reunite and give back. Scattered around the country after gradu-
ation, the former roommates once sent a round-robin letter, each adding a letter to the envelope before sending it on. “Sometimes it took a full year to get to everyone. But I was proud of us for keeping it up for several years,” said Karen Dreidame Weber.
How we remember When loved ones leave us, we do what we can to remember them. Remembering can turn into sharing — and sharing, into giving. That’s how those inspired by professor Gerry Kerns and Father Paul Marshall, S.M. ’69, are remembering them. Kerns died March 19, 2014, at age 80. His former students say Kerns taught thousands of students in the Department of Political Science to be better writers, critical thinkers and scholars. Richard “Dick” Moran ’71, a student of Kerns, started a scholarship fund in his professor’s memory. “I was saddened by Gerry Kerns’ passing, who was one of the best teachers in the political science department, if not the entire University,” Moran said. “In a small way, I would like to carry on Gerry’s legacy.” Myron Achbach ’58 worked as UD’s director of admission during the time Kerns taught. He remembers Kerns as a
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true gentleman and scholar. he was a Marianist social worker, teacher, “My respect for Gerry grew over the pastor and administrator, as well as a leadyears as I knew him as a rigorous and deer in the U.S. black Catholic community. manding teacher who sincerely cared He died July 17, 2014, at age 66 while visitabout his stuing members of the dents,” Achbach Marianist commusaid. “Following nity in India. his retirement, Upon his death, Gerry volunthe Society of Mary teered to teach offered a prayer for in the Osher Marshall, for his Lifelong Learnspirit of hospitaling Institute at ity and his skill of UD. He taught uniting Africanevery year and American culture Kerns Marshall filled the largand the Marianist est classroom. He was so eloquent and so spirit: “Help us to continue his spirit as we well-researched.” work to root out any form of racism, which Gifts to the Gerald E. Kerns Memorial destroys authentic culture and values,” it Scholarship will assist students majorread, in part. ing in political science or international Marshall once said, “The Marianist studies. charism should infuse every aspect of the Marshall was the rector for the UniUniversity, who we are and what we do. versity from 2005 to 2010. For 47 years, Working for freedom and promoting the