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TWU receives $2.2 million from Deiker estate for student scholarships
2/5/08
DENTON –
More Texas Woman’s University students will receive
scholarships to help meet their educational goals thanks to
a $2.2 million gift from the estate of Helen Haddix Deiker
of Fort Worth, a past president of the TWU Former Students
Association. The gift to the TWU Foundation will be used to
establish the Helen Haddix Deiker and Robert W. Deiker Endowment
Fund.
“Robert and
Helen Deiker were ardent supporters of TWU,” said TWU
Chancellor Dr. Ann Stuart. “I am grateful for the Deikers’
generous estate planning, which has resulted in one of our
largest estate gifts ever and which will enable more of our
outstanding students to achieve academic success.”
Mrs. Deiker, 82,
who passed away on Oct. 16, 2007, attended Texas Woman’s
University in the early 1940s. She taught high school math
for many years and served as the head of the special education
department at Hinsdale High School in Hinsdale, Ill. She married
Robert “Bob” W. Deiker in 1960 and they lived
in New York and Illinois before retiring back to Texas. Mr.
Deiker passed away in 2002.
According to TWU
classmate and lifelong friend Frances Matsler Gordon, Mrs.
Deiker was committed to helping TWU because of the important
role the university played in her life and education. Mrs.
Deiker volunteered extensively for the TWU Former Students
Association, receiving the Alumni Service Award in 1988 and
serving as president from 1992 to 1994. She also spearheaded
the effort to create the Frances Matsler Gordon Endowed Scholarship
on behalf of the Class of 1945 for its 50th reunion.
“Even though
the class named the scholarship after me, it was really Helen’s
idea, and she did most of the work,” Mrs. Gordon said.
“She kept track of the money raised, took the scholarship
winners out to lunch and dinner, followed them in their careers
and made sure the class knew about the recipients by reporting
their activities in our class notes.”
Since 1995, the
Frances Matsler Gordon Endowed Scholarship has been awarded
to 36 TWU students.
Mrs. Gordon said that Mrs. Deiker would be pleased that the
funds from her family’s estate will assist so many TWU
students.
“To think
that she, who helped so many people in her life, can help
so many more finish college with this endowment is just wonderful,”
Mrs. Gordon said. “It is so like Helen, helping people
however and wherever she could.”
For more information
on planned giving or to make a contribution to the Helen Haddix
Deiker and Robert W. Deiker Endowment Fund, call the TWU Office
of Institutional Development at 940-898-3878.
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Media
Contact:
Amanda Simpson
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: asimpson1@twu.edu |
