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Gifts Designed to Enhance Music at MU
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Joyce A. (Wort) Nolen graduated from Manchester in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in music and earned a master’sdegree in music from Northwestern. She changed direction with her Ph.D. in counseling, a field in which she enjoyed a very successful career. Wil, who earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Bridgewater College, earned a master of divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary and spent more than two-and-a-half decades as president of Brethren Benefit Trust in Elgin, Ill.
Through the years, the Nolens’ love for music remained strong. Joyce and Wil played piano, sang in and directed choirs, and attended live performances as often as possible. “Our lives have been greatly enriched by the world of art and music,” explains Joyce, who wants all MU
students to develop an appreciation for music, regardless of their career paths.
To help achieve that, the Nolens created their endowment to foster creativity in music by supporting innovative compositions, productions and programs featuring sacred and secular choral and instrumental music. “Wil and I do not have any children, so our investment in this
fund is like our child and we know that Manchester will always treat it as such.”
The Nolens hope that this fund will enhance the music program by allowing the University to pursue new ideas. They hope the new ideas can grow in scale as they grow their fund with annual cash contributions. The Nolens also have included their endowment in their estate plan.
These blended gifts allow the Nolens to see how Manchester will use their funds, and it helps them see the fruit of their investments while they are still living. Joyce and Wil can be assured that their “children” are in good hands and that their generosity will expose MU students to the
beauty of art and music for generations to come.
To learn more about planned giving and what avenues of giving are best for you and your family please contact us.
