CHARITABLE BEQUEST CREATES LASTING LEGACY

"Including Oakland University in our estate plan ensures that our wishes to support future students will be fulfilled. While it is uncertain how large our gift to the University will ultimately be through our charitable bequest, we are happy knowing that we are creating a lasting legacy at OU."
—Art Griggs, CAS ’70

Oakland University has provided Art and Joanne Griggs with a rich and rewarding life—through education, employment, cultural experiences, and lasting friendships. Art began as a student at OU in 1965 majoring in biology. Programs in health sciences did not exist at the University at that time. Griggs became involved in undergraduate research, a field he loved. He went on to earn a graduate degree in biochemistry.

After working in the medical field, Griggs returned to OU and became the assistant dean of the new health sciences programs and then the assistant vice president of academic affairs. Griggs retired a few years ago. As an alumnus and a retiree, Griggs remains committed to the School of Health Sciences through both his role on the advisory board as well as his determination to give back.

Through a bequest in their will, the couple committed to fund undergraduate scholarships and research opportunities for students and faculty in the basic sciences and health sciences—reflecting their own backgrounds and continuing interests. According to Art, "We hope Oakland continues to be the outstanding institution that we have come to know and love, providing quality education and experiences to students second to none. Without contributions of this sort, the University would not be able to sustain its mission at the high level of which its founders dreamed."