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Donors Make a Difference: Profiles

Monica Cunningham, WCL/JD '73

A first-generation college graduate, Monica Dixson Cunningham received financial help in both college and law school from endowed scholarships established through the generosity of others. More

Family Legacy Champions What Matters
The lives of Edwin A. Mooers Jr. and his father, Edwin A. Mooers Sr., have been intrinsically linked to American University Washington College of Law from early in the law school's history. Mooers Sr., who received his LL.B and LL.M degrees at the law school, served as a member of the faculty from 1918 until 1971. More

Barbara Reimann: Faculty Emerita and Former Coach Makes a Difference and Supports Student-Athletes

We are honored to pay tribute to Barbara Reimann, an American University friend whose commitment spans a thirty-year career as faculty member, administrator, and coach. Reimann's AU association is enhanced by her role as a neighbor, AU Eagles fan, and generous donor. More

Mehdi Heravi PhD'67: Making a Difference, Enhancing the Vibrancy of the School of International Service

For Mehdi Heravi, SIS/PhD '67, supporting American University's School of International Service is about more than giving back, it is about encouraging students to perform at their highest level.
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Karyl Charna Lynn MA '80: Making a Difference, Supporting the Performing Arts

Acclaimed opera critic and author Karyl Charna Lynn, SOC/MA '80, is a proud supporter of American University.

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Lillian K. Abensohn: Promoting Dialogue in a Global Context

For more than a decade, Lillian K. Abensohn has been a stalwart advocate of American University's Center for Israel Studies. Lillian values the center's mission to celebrate, examine, and interpret the rich landscape of Israel as a nation and a people through multidisciplinary study. More

Marshal Gibson: Proud Parent Makes a Difference with Support for AU

Marshal Gibson is a proud parent who has enjoyed seeing his children, Graham, SOC/BA '01, and Laura, CAS/BA '09, benefit from associations with American University. Gibson has named AU a beneficiary of his retirement plans, ensuring AU will receive family support in perpetuity while guaranteeing his estate avoids the significant income and estate taxes that would otherwise be incurred… More

Stuart A. Bernstein '60 and Wilma Estrin Bernstein '60: Making a Difference, a Life-Long Commitment to AU

Native Washingtonians Wilma Estrin Bernstein, CAS/BA '60, and Stuart A. Bernstein, Kogod/BS '60, each came to American University to receive a world-class education. AU is pleased to honor the commitment the Bernsteins have to excellence in all elements of their lives: personal, business, civic, and philanthropic. More

Isabella Ager Clarke: Making a Difference, Educating Tomorrow's Leaders

For over 75 years, the School of Public Affairs has been educating leaders in the fields of government, public administration, justice, law and society. SPA's students and alumni are passionate leaders who exemplify AU's tradition of civic engagement. For Isabella Ager Clarke, this tradition... More

John and Isabelle Hopkinson: Making a Difference, Supporting WAMU

John and Isabelle Hopkinson are loyal supporters of American University's WAMU 88.5 FM radio. Members of the station's Leadership Circle, the Hopkinsons recently chose to name WAMU among the beneficiaries of their charitable estate plans. Their story represents the international profile of metropolitan... More

Laird Anderson, Faculty Emeritus and Florence Ashby: Making a Difference with Support for the School of Communication

"American University professor emeritus Laird Anderson and his wife, Montgomery College professor emerita Florence Ashby, are shining examples of commitment to AU. Their credit to AU for the important role the university plays in their lives and careers is high praise from a couple who has given so much to the charitable... More

Samuel Keker '39 and Lucy Keker: Making a Difference for the University Library and Katzen Arts Center

American University is pleased to pay tribute to the philanthropic spirit of Samuel Keker, CAS/BA '39, and his wife, Lucy. The Kekers have provided leadership support to both the University Library and Katzen Arts Center, and they have named AU in their charitable estate plans. "It is only natural that Lucy and I give back to AU for the opportunities the university... More

Nina Roscher, Faculty and David Roscher: Making a Difference for Students and Faculty

American University is pleased to acknowledge the philanthropic spirit of AU friend David Roscher and honor the memory of his late wife, Nina Roscher, a longtime member of AU's faculty and administration. The Roschers included generous provisions in their charitable estate plans to endow funds in support of students, faculty, and the Department of Chemistry. "David and Nina's vision for the future... More

Sara Nieves-Grafals '75, MA '79, PhD '80 and Al Getz: Making a Difference to Support Doctoral Research

"American University opened doors for me. Al and I are delighted that one day we will be doing the same for others," shares Sara Nieves-Grafals, who received her BA '75, MA '79, and PhD '80 in clinical psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. Nieves-Grafals has dedicated her professional life to helping others. As a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of individuals with... More

Betsy Finley Ashton '66: Making a Difference with an Endowed Scholarship

Art, media, and law are all passions for Betsy Finley Ashton, CAS/BA '66. Ashton has chosen to say thank you for the scholarship opportunities AU made possible by including provisions in her charitable estate plan to fund the Betsy Finley Ashton Endowed Scholarship for incoming freshman women. Her philanthropic activities have included serving on the board of WNET-TV Public Television... More

Kathleen Teso, Parent '89: Planning a Legacy at AU

"It is all about giving back and saying thank you," says Kathleen Teso, parent of American University graduate Amy Teso, SIS/BA '89. n 1985, Amy was preparing to graduate from high school and begin her undergraduate studies at AU. Having been accepted early decision, Amy had planned to attend the School of International Service with the financial assistance of an exchange program made available... More

John Fiske Barnard '59: Making a Difference through Tuition Assistance

John Fiske Barnard has marked his association with American University by establishing the Barnard Scholarship, a fund providing tuition assistance to students majoring in psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Endowed scholarships have always been essential to attracting the best and the brightest," shares CAS dean Kay Mussell, "and AU's newly inaugurated president, Neil Kerwin, has made increasing More

Nancy Burkett '65 and Randall Burkett '65: Making a Difference through Programmatic Support

American University is honored to pay tribute to Nancy and Randall Burkett in recognition of their plans to establish a major endowed fund benefiting AU's School of International Service. The Burketts credit SIS as the launching place for their intellectual and civic pursuits. Each came to AU in 1961 from different backgrounds and quickly found themselves immersed in the diverse... More

Jack Townsend, CAS/BA '66, CAS/MA '68, CAS/EdD '72 and Phyllis Nadeau Townsend, CAS/BA '69: Making a Difference with a Charitable Gift Annuity

The American University community is fortunate to be the beneficiary of Dr. Edgar "Jack" Townsend and Phyllis Nadeau Townsend, in their choice to establish the Dr. Bernard A. Hodinko Endowment. "When I first began my studies with Dr. Hodinko in 1968, most colleges and universities viewed student personnel work as controlling student behavior. He brought... More

Gary Belt '65, MA '70 and Pat Belt: Making a Difference for SIS Students

We are honored that Gary Belt, SIS /BA ‘65, SIS/MA '70 and his wife, Pat, have utilized the tools of charitable estate planning to establish a major scholarship fund benefiting students at American University's School of International Service. Gary has dedicated his life's work to international relations, with an illustrious career as a senior intelligence analyst at the CIA. More

Millidge Walker, SPA Faculty Emeritus and Irene Tinker: Making a Difference using the Pension Protection Act of 2006

Longtime friends of AU Irene Tinker and Millidge Walker are savvy philanthropists. Tinker, a pioneering scholar who paved the way for women in international development, and Walker, professor emeritus of the Schools of International Service and Public Affairs, are supporting AU excellence through two plans. The Tinker- Walker Travel More

Richard Shclegel MA '54: Making a Difference for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally Programs and Activities

As a dedicated alumnus, Richard created several charitable gift annuities, providing him with partially tax-free income from AU. As a dedicated alumnus, Richard created several charitable gift annuities, providing him with partially tax-free income from AU. More

Gloria Likins '60: Making a Difference with an Endowed Scholarship

American University is honored to celebrate the memory of the late Gloria Likins, CAS/BA '60. The biology major, long associated with the National Institutes of Health, paid tribute to her alma mater by naming AU the primary beneficiary of her estate. More

Saving Narnia: Making a Difference and Enhancing the University Arboretum

Walking into the garden of one of AU's closest neighbors feels a bit like stepping through the magical wardrobe in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia. ou emerge into a world as unexpected as it is wonderful. You've just left a bustling Nebraska Avenue, and suddenly the city has disappeared, replaced by a sprawling three-acre garden. To your left, Japanese weeping willows cascade gracefully... More

Shirley Kullen '59, MBA '61, PhD '72: Making a Difference with Support for Faculty Research

She married her husband, Sol, when they were both in their seventies, but she first met him when she was fifteen. "It makes for a very comfortable relationship," she explains. "Our families are very close" . . . While World War I forced her mother to give up her medical studies some 90 years ago, today both of Kullen's... More

Eleanor Gomolinski-Lally MA '70: Making a Difference for Students in the Performing Arts

American University is fortunate to benefit from the friendships of many alumni and friends who regularly choose to volunteer time and contribute essential financial resources to guarantee the university's mission of academic and civic excellence. AU is pleased to recognize the creative philanthropy of one such individual. Alumna Eleanor Gomolinski-Lally has enjoyed an association with American... More

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