How historic levels of giving illustrate TU鈥檚 philanthropic momentum
快活视频closes in on annual giving goal thanks to significant gifts since summer 2020
February 18, 2020
The momentum of philanthropic giving is strong among the Towson University community, and it has been on full display over the past 8 months.
A series of large gifts have helped 快活视频raise $12,589,346 toward its annual goal of $14,500,000. Here鈥檚 a look back at those notable gifts since summer 2020, with more about the people and reasons behind those gifts:
A record gift
Fran Soistman Jr. 鈥�79 has been a proud Tiger for more than 40 years.
With a recent $5.4 million gift鈥�the largest from an alumnus/a in 快活视频history鈥� Soistman, a nationally recognized expert and top executive in the health care management sector, has continued to demonstrate his boundless affection for his alma mater. His first gift to 快活视频in the late 1980s was followed by many additional contributions totaling more than $600,000 in support of projects and initiatives across the institution.
"Over the past 30 years, I have had the pleasure of establishing multiple endowments and supporting a number of important initiatives at TU,鈥� Soistman said. 鈥淕iven the university鈥檚 strong momentum and significant opportunities to advance its ambitious vision, I thought that it was the right time to make a substantial commitment to TU鈥檚 future," he says. "I hope it inspires others to support the university. My goal is that a fellow alum will quickly follow my gift with an even larger gift."
A new mark in foundation giving
The Kahlert Foundation has awarded 快活视频a record-setting $3 million grant to provide support for major initiatives, advancing the university鈥檚 preeminence as a leader in preparing Maryland鈥檚 teachers and health care professionals.
This historic gift is the largest from a foundation with ties to a 快活视频alum. Roberta Kahlert 鈥�69 and her husband, Greg, both serve on The Kahlert Foundation board.
鈥淚n deciding where to make philanthropic investments, The Kahlert Foundation looks for visionary leadership and innovative programs that align with the foundation鈥檚 priorities. Towson University checks these boxes,鈥� Greg, president of The Kahlert Foundation, says. 鈥淲e are proud to fuel TU鈥檚 momentum.鈥�
Helping to make 快活视频a home
Gerhard VonHauenschild, Ph.D., 鈥�74 has traveled all over the world. But TU, the biology program and its students have brought him back to where his time in the United States began.
VonHauenschild鈥檚 recent $1 million bequest to fund biology scholarships comes on the heels of his 2019 gift to the Biology Alumni Scholarship Fund, which was matched by his employer, DELTA Airlines.
鈥淚 know the financial struggles that students face, especially today,鈥� says VonHauenschild. 鈥淚 left Germany and came to Towson University as a young student, looking for independence and determined to find my own way.鈥� He worked as a hospital orderly during his time at 快活视频and understands the commitment students make to afford college.
It鈥檚 always the right time to give
Tom Beyard, who retired in 2019 as a command sergeant major after 37 years of service to the National Guard, recently established a bequest to create the CSM (Ret) Thomas B. Beyard 鈥�77 Endowed Athletics Scholarship and support the Women's Basketball Enhancement and the Athletics Capital Projects funds. He is showing that it is never too late to reconnect and give to the university.
"I just turned 65 and started thinking more about the future," says Beyard. "Now鈥檚 the time 快活视频needs all the support it can get. I decided I was going to make my commitment now to be a good example to others."
Faculty gift to provide STEM opportunities
Retired physics professor and former department chair Eddie Loh, Ph.D. continues to provide a positive impact to STEM students at TU.
快活视频has received $1 million from Loh鈥攖he largest planned faculty gift in the university鈥檚 history鈥攖o fund scholarships for 快活视频physics students.
鈥淢ost students who come to 快活视频have to work hard to afford it. I鈥檝e seen some students who had to drop out because of finances. I thought, 鈥業 am going to help them,鈥欌�� Loh says.
Give to TU
Gifts from you 鈥� our loyal alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends 鈥� change lives every day. Your philanthropic support for Towson University and giving to the Towson University Foundation provides vital resources that allow our campus to thrive.