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EMU receives largest estate gift in school history

A LEGACY CONTINUED: Eastern Michigan
University has received $2.2 million from
the trust of renowned sculptor and potter
Jean Noble Parsons (1929-2000). The
estate gift is the largest of its kind in EMU's
history and was announced at a press
conference in University Gallery Feb. 5.

Before she left this world, Jean Noble Parsons had a vision for her property that tied science and art to nature. Eastern Michigan University will carry on that legacy.

Eastern Michigan University has received $2.2 million from the trust of renowned sculptor and potter Jean Noble Parsons (1929-2000). The estate gift is the largest of its kind in the history of EMU.

A press conference to note the occasion took place in a packed University Gallery Feb. 5.

"This is a historic moment for EMU," said Donald M. Loppnow, provost and executive vice president of EMU. "It is a true testament to the learning environment we have and the education our students receive. Jean Noble Parsons had no affiliation with EMU, yet we received this gift because of the quality and collaborative nature of our academic programming in art, biology and psychology, and the faculty who teach in those areas."

The trust includes $1.75 million in cash and $489,000 in property. The Parsons' trustees solicited proposals following her death to establish a center in her name.

The transfer of the trust is the culmination of seven years of hard work and planning to realize Ms. Parsons' vision.

"This really is a super Tuesday," said Tom Venner, head of the art department, making an analogy between EMU's good news and the fight for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations occurring that same day. "It's been a long trip, but a really good one."

The Parsons Governing Board, which includes EMU faculty from the departments of art, biology and psychology, as well as Continuing Education, worked with Ralph Munch, a senior trust officer with Huntington Bank in Traverse City, to bring Parsons' dream to fruition.