Donor Leaves Unrestricted Gift of $80,000 to Emmanuel College

By Leslie Shepherd

Emmanuel College Principal HyeRan Kim-Cragg has never bought a lottery ticket nor been to Las Vegas. But she felt like she had won a grand prize when she heard that a donor with no known ties to the theological school had left a generous bequest in her will.

“I felt so blessed,” she said. “I didn’t know this woman, but she was obviously a long-term visionary.”

Jane Elizabeth Lawson left $80,000 in her will to Emmanuel College when she died in 2024 in London, Ont., at age 88, despite not having attended the theological school nor having made any previous donation.

Significantly, she made it an unrestricted gift, meaning Emmanuel can decide how best to use it. Many donations, while equally appreciated, are designated for specific programs, scholarships or other purposes.

“When you leave an unrestricted bequest, you are putting your faith in the institution to decide how best to use the money,” said Louise Yearwood, executive director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement at Victoria University. “Giving such a legacy gift freely and fully is particularly thoughtful.”

Yearwood said the money will be used to help create three scholarships:

• The Very Rev. Dr. Sang Chul Lee Memorial Scholarship, named in memory of the former chancellor of Victoria University (1992–98). It will be awarded to Emmanuel students whose course work or research includes Korean theologies, cultures and/or Indigenous wisdom, or demonstrates activity, leadership or advocacy in Korean peace.

• The Jane Elizabeth Lawson Award, named for the donor. It will be awarded to any Emmanuel student whose work or project focuses on sexuality and gender diversity studies or who demonstrates activity, leadership or advocacy on or off campus in the LGBTQ community. Money raised at a recent Drag & Spirituality conference held at Emmanuel will also contribute toward this scholarship.

• The Emmanuel College Music Scholarship. It will be awarded to students pursuing a Master of Sacred Music degree. Emmanuel is the only college in Canada that offers this degree and one of only three in North America.

Victoria University will contribute the additional monies necessary to ensure that each endowed scholarship receives $30,000.

According to her family, who live in the United States, Lawson was a graduate of McGill University. Her bequest came to Emmanuel via the United Church of Canada Foundation where she had some years ago arranged a charitable gift annuity. She had designated the residue to Emmanuel College. She also gave to several other churches and universities who were also beneficiaries of her other annuities, exemplifying her generous, philanthropic spirit.

For information on gift and estate planning and the five steps you can take to plan your legacy, please email sharon.gregory@utoronto.ca or call 416-813-4050. If you are considering a bequest in your will to Victoria or Emmanuel, here is suggested wording:

I give and bequeath to the Board of Regents of Victoria University, Toronto, Ontario, the sum of $ or % or shares of my estate.