New VP Joins Fund | Brule Challenges SBE | Dow supports YES Expo | Shelton Donates Collection | GM Provides $175,000 | Hockey Campaign Update | Salminen Estate Supports Forestry | U.P. Property Available | Before-You-Give Quiz

New VP Joins Tech Fund

Trent “Shea” McGrew has been named vice president of the Michigan Tech Fund. McGrew had been vice president for university relations at Capital University, in Ohio, where he had responsibility for marketing, development, alumni relations, public relations, and publications.

While at Capital, he led a successful, $11-million campaign for a new athletic and recreation facility. Previously, he was director of development and director of major gifts at the University of Cincinnati Foundation, where he had extensive involvement with attracting $50 million in gifts.

Brule Challenges SBE

Dave Brule ’72 has announced a $250,000 challenge gift to support the new master’s program in business administration. Brule, a member of Tech’s Board of Control, said his gift is contingent on the university attracting a two-for-one match during the 2004-05 fiscal year.

If the campaign is successful, the resulting $750,000 will help with faculty recruitment and retention, program enhancements, and student recruitment.

Shelton Donates Russian Mineral Collection

William O. “Bill” Shelton is donating an extraordinary collection of thousands of mineral specimens to the Seaman Mineral Museum. The gift includes more than 350 types of minerals, one-of-a-kind rarities and display-grade pieces from classic mineral-collecting sites in the former Soviet Union, as well as reference materials.

In addition, a portion of Shelton’s estate will be donated to help the museum acquire more specimens.

“This past June, Bill drove out to the Keweenaw from Massachusetts and brought with him a remarkable group of specimens—the tip of the iceberg,” said Stanley J. Dyl II, the museum’s director of development and planning.

Shelton, of Westfield, Mass., has spent nearly four decades building one of the finest private Russian mineral collections in the US.

“In this time of closure and storage of mineral collections, I see a place that is intent on displaying minerals for the public to enjoy,” he said. “The Seaman Museum is one of the few places that is actively expanding and has a public systematic collection available for viewing.”

Dow Foundation Supports YES Expo

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to help fund the Michigan YES Expo (Youth Engineering and Science).

Michigan Tech sponsored the YES Expo, which attracted an estimated 20,000 high school and middle school students to learn about careers in science and engineering. The expo took place November 6 in conjunction with the Bash at the Big House football game.

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation is the lead underwriter for the professional multi-media program at the expo. The foundation’s goals are to improve the educational, religious, economic, and cultural lives of Michigan residents.

General Motors Provides $175,000

Michigan Tech has received a $175,000 gift from General Motors Corporation, as part of the GM Managed Partnership program. The gift will support a variety of programs across campus.

Hockey Campaign Update

Opie Provides $250,000 for Hockey Campaign

John Opie ’61 has committed $250,000 towards Michigan Tech’s $3-million Hockey Enrichment Campaign.

“I’ve always been interested in the hockey program,” said Opie. “I’m pleased to be able to help, and I’ll continue to do what I can for the athletic program at Michigan Tech.”

Opie is the retired vice chairman and executive officer of General Electric Company. He graduated in 1961 with a BS in Metallurgical Engineering.

In 1999, Opie and his wife, Ruanne, donated $5 million to help fund the Opie Library Addition, which opened this year.

As a result of this latest gift, the locker room will be named the John and Tim Opie Huskies Den in honor of John and his son, Tim.

Second Phase of Hockey Campaign Complete

The $3 million Hockey Enrichment Campaign at Michigan Tech has raised the funds necessary to complete phase two of a $900,000 matching challenge by an anonymous donor.

The matching challenge called for raising $400,000 by April 30 and $300,000 by the end of August. Michigan Tech can obtain the full $900,000 in matching funds by raising an additional $200,000 by the end of December.

“It’s exciting to see the progress we’ve made,” said head coach Jamie Russell. “We’ll work hard to make sure we raise the money to get the final $200,000 in matching funds by the end of 2004, and that will put us well over half way to our $3 million goal.

Salminen Estate Supports Forestry

Michigan Tech has received the last portion of a $224,200 gift from the estate of Wilho “Bill” Salminen. The gift will support the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science.

Salminen, who passed away in 2003, was a self-trained forester and worked at the Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest Station in Marquette.

U.P. Property Available

Occasionally the Michigan Tech Fund receives gifts of property which are then sold and the proceeds are used to support designated university programs. These properties are for sale:

Portage Lake vacant lots in Jacobsville, MI (all are 0-10 acres)

Time Share located in Boone, North Carolina—Willow Valley Resort. Valued at $3,000–$10,000 for purchase.

For more information on property sales, contact Suzanne Morin at the Michigan Tech Fund: 906-487-1931 or smmorin@mtu.edu.

The Before-You-Give Quiz

Making a charitable gift can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in life. Here is a little quiz to help you gain maximum satisfaction. If you answer all of these correctly, you are on your way to philanthropic fulfillment.

True or False

1. My gift will serve to advance the mission of Michigan Technological University.
   Believing in the cause you support is paramount to gift-giving satisfaction. Before making a major gift, review the important mission and consistent accomplishments of Michigan Tech. Then plan your gift to further this mission.
   
2. I am giving the most appropriate asset.
   Sometimes a gift of real estate, stock, or some other investment can be more beneficial than simply writing a check. Before giving, review your assets.
   
3. This gift will not endanger my financial security.
   Good stewardship requires that we temper our enthusiasm for the good work of Michigan Tech with consideration for the needs and other commitments of our donors.
   
4. I have selected the best way to make my gift.
   An outright gift definitely has its advantages, but sometimes a deferred gift that provides lifetime income can be more practical and beneficial. Giving through a will, an annuity, a trust or an endowment are possibilities to consider.
   
5. I have considered the tax consequences of my gift.
   Making a tax-wise gift can actually enable you to give more than you might otherwise be able to do. This is especially true of an asset that contains long-term capital gain. The correct timing of a gift can also enhance tax benefits.
   
6. I have sought counsel from a competent advisor.
   As a rule of thumb, the larger your gift in relation to your overall assets, the more important it is to obtain wise counsel from a qualified professional. This is especially true if your gift involves legal documents. A good estate planning attorney and a CPA can prove mighty valuable when making a major gift.
   
7. I have talked with the Michigan Tech Fund about my gift.
   The Michigan Tech Fund has a wide range of gift planning options to benefit Michigan Tech’s students and programs—while also allowing you to take maximum advantage of federal tax laws to accomplish your financial and charitable goals. We’d be happy to work with you and your advisors.

For more information, call the Office of Planned Giving at 906-487-3325, send an e-mail to ehalonen@mtu.edu, or click here to fill out a Planned Giving Form.