Herrick Society Stories
Professors, philanthropists leave legacy of inspiring change
More than 11 years ago, as a new employee at Kent State, I met Art and Margaret Herrick. I was already aware of their legendary status as lifetime gift planners and philanthropists, and as teachers and environmental activists.
It was hard to believe that these unassuming people were the most prolific individual philanthropists in the history of Kent State, at that time. They lived in an unpretentious house in Kent, drove a modest car and had forgone the usual trappings of wealth. Still, Margaret had a flair for fashion and presented an elegant image.
Art explained to me their plan was much more ambitious than to impress others with their wealth. He told me he wanted to make a difference in the things that mattered to him most: the environment and education. After decades of service as a beloved professor, he decided to make Kent State the focus of his giving in order to maximize his impact.
Eventually this plan took the form of a number of planned and current gifts that were astutely crafted. Those gifts have greatly benefited Biological Sciences, including the department’s first endowed chair, the Dr. J. Arthur and Margaret Hatton Herrick Endowed Chair in Plant Conservation Biology.
Art had a creative view of boosting his philanthropy. I first met him when he was 88 and had a thriving treecutting business, the proceeds of which he contributed to one of his favorite funds, the Tom and Miwako Cooperrider Herbarium. I will always cherish the memories of helping Art chop down trees, which he reluctantly gave up—at age 95.
Art and Margaret passed away this July within days of each other. Their passing came a few weeks after Art turned 100 and just a few months shy of Margaret’s 90th birthday. During their time together, they made an enviable footprint on the lives of others.
We will greatly miss but fondly remember them: an unpretentious couple whose lives were shining examples of the power of philanthropy to create change in the world around them.
Herrick Society StoriesProfessors, philanthropists leave legacy of inspiring change
More than 11 years ago, as a new employee at Kent State, I met Art and Margaret Herrick. I was already aware of their legendary status as lifetime gift planners and philanthropists, and as teachers and environmental activists. It was hard to believe that these unassuming people were the most prolific individual philanthropists in the history of Kent State, at that time. They lived in an unpretentious house in Kent, drove a modest car and had forgone the usual trappings of wealth. Still, Margaret had a flair for fashion and presented an elegant image. Art explained to me their plan was much more ambitious than to impress others with their wealth. He told me he wanted to make a difference in the things that mattered to him most: the environment and education. After decades of service as a beloved professor, he decided to make Kent State the focus of his giving in order to maximize his impact. Eventually this plan took the form of a number of planned and current gifts that were astutely crafted. Those gifts have greatly benefited Biological Sciences, including the department’s first endowed chair, the Dr. J. Arthur and Margaret Hatton Herrick Endowed Chair in Plant Conservation Biology. Art had a creative view of boosting his philanthropy. I first met him when he was 88 and had a thriving treecutting business, the proceeds of which he contributed to one of his favorite funds, the Tom and Miwako Cooperrider Herbarium. I will always cherish the memories of helping Art chop down trees, which he reluctantly gave up—at age 95.
Art and Margaret passed away this July within days of each other. Their passing came a few weeks after Art turned 100 and just a few months shy of Margaret’s 90th birthday. During their time together, they made an enviable footprint on the lives of others. We will greatly miss but fondly remember them: an unpretentious couple whose lives were shining examples of the power of philanthropy to create change in the world around them. |