Your Gifts At Work: Building Our Endowments
Your gifts support growth throughout the University.
Future alumnus Kyle Rohde (left), class of 2016, is in his junior year at Lewis pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics. He has played for both the Men’s Volleyball and Men’s Track and Field teams, and he volunteers at Feed my Starving Children in addition to participating in the Pretty Muddy Run for charity. Yet shortly into his sophomore year, his academic aspirations and contributions to his community nearly came to an abrupt halt.
“In September of 2013, my father was diagnosed with lymphoma and began chemotherapy. There was nothing but bad news throughout my first semester, which made it very difficult to concentrate on school. My dad passed away on January 15, 2014 during the first week of second semester,” says Kyle.
Because of those who made gifts to the Sister M. Noel Dreska, OSF, Endowed Scholarship – like Dr. Arvid ’85 and Anne (Jordan) Johnson ’87 and Dr. Gene Ferretti ’69 – Kyle was able to continue his education.
“I am grateful for the Sister Noel Dreska, OSF, Endowed Scholarship now more than ever,” explains Kyle. “The stress, grief, and financial hardship of my situation have made the generosity of this scholarship even more comforting and meaningful to me and my family.”
In 2014, Dr. Arvid ’85 and Anne (Jordan) Johnson ’87 announced they would match dollar-for-dollar gifts made to the Sister M. Noel Dreska, OSF, Endowed Scholarship Fund up to $25,000. One of those who met the challenge and contributed to the endowment – just as he has for many years – was alumnus Dr. Ferretti.
“I am very happy to be able to give something back to Lewis, and I am most appreciative for the wonderful education I received while a student at the University,” says Dr. Ferretti. “I am even more pleased that my gift has been made to the Sister Noel Dreska, OSF, endowment, as she was a very influential person in my life. Not only did she develop the physics undergraduate program at Lewis from which I graduated as one of the first two physics majors, but I also admired her for the enthusiasm and dedication she always brought to her teaching. She certainly made studying physics interesting and exciting. But, perhaps even more importantly, she took a personal interest in all of her students, offering guidance and encouragement to each and everyone along the way. Her students loved her, and she loved them back.” (Dr. Ferretti is pictured to the right with Sr. Noel Dreska, OSF.)
There are more than 150 named annual and endowed scholarships at Lewis University. Creating a named scholarship or contributing to an endowment are just two of the ways you can assist students and leave a legacy to Lewis University. It’s also a very meaningful way to honor family and friends, as Dr. Ferretti says.
“I would encourage any student or alum to consider contributing to a scholarship or endowment as a way of recognizing a faculty or staff member’s significant contributions,” says Dr. Ferretti, “and even more so as a way of showing one’s appreciation for the impact Lewis has had on your life.”
To see a full list of scholarships, visit alumni.lewisu.edu/Scholarships.
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