University of Saint Francis to receive largest planned gift in university history

The University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne will receive the largest planned gift in its history from local philanthropist Larry Lee. The gift totals $6 million and will have far-reaching benefits to the university, including the establishment of scholarship endowments, supporting the director position of the social justice center, and enhancing student success.

According to an article on the University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne’s website, Lee explained his desire to fund student success initiatives at the university and assisting the university with his gift. He is quoted as saying, “The University of Saint Francis has long served as a cherished, valued asset to the Fort Wayne community. To express my support and appreciation, I am endowing several initiatives that are consistent with my lifelong advocacy for social justice. To recognize Saint Francis’ past role and to assure its future role as a preeminent moral compass and conscience for the entire community, I am endowing the director position for the St. Benedict the Moor Social Justice Center. The current extraordinary director, Francisco Townsend, inspired me to name this endowed position in his honor. My endowing 40 student scholarships provides a Saint Francis education for bright, motivated inner city Fort Wayne high school graduates each year. For such students, financing an education at a private school like Saint Francis poses an impossible barrier. It is a blessing to name this endowment in honor of community leaders Ian Boyce, Kathy Callen, Don Schenkel and Jeff Leffers, who have made significant lifetime contributions to Saint Francis and Fort Wayne.”

Lee’s gift will benefit The Lawrence Lee Faculty Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence, the Francisco Townsend Social Justice Center Director Position Endowment, the Ian D. Boyce Family Scholarship for Educational Access, the Kathy Doermer Callen Endowed Scholarship, the Don Schenkel Endowed Scholarship, and the Jeffrey Leffers-Matsumoto Scholarship.

The latter four endowments will provide educational access to students who come from the 46806, 46803, and 46816 zipcodes, which experience the greatest financial need in Fort Wayne. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years and can be used for tuition, books, or housing.

The university’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Reba Copeland, said, “Larry has been a champion of supporting students in and out of the classroom at Saint Francis. His gifts have supported faculty development, contributing to our faculty scholarship in the undergraduate classroom. You can find him discussing social advocacy in our St. Benedict the Moor Social Justice Center with students from around the world or serving on panels across campus sharing his perspective on a variety of topics, from Martin Luther King Jr. to the importance of service to our community. Larry has had an incredible impact on our campus and will continue to do so through his legacy.”

University president Dr. Lance Richey said, “Larry Lee’s legacy will live on for generations of students who will thrive without financial barriers, increasing their access to higher education. We offer our heartfelt appreciation to Larry for this extraordinary gift.”

For more information about the University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne, visit the school’s website.