Loyalty Society Alumni Spotlights

WashU has been a meaningful thread woven through the family story of Katy Jenkins Courtney, BS ’81, and Lee Courtney. Now, the couple pays that impact forward by creating opportunities for students while keeping their son’s memory alive.

The Michigan native balances her studies with dance rehearsals five or six days a week plus weekend performances. She describes herself as a “full-time athlete” – thanks to scholarship support from generous Annual Fund donors.

Jennifer Markwardt, BS ’93, MS ’99, and Chuck Turco, BS ’95, BS ’95, MS ’96, are 30 years WashU loyal. Their commitment to giving started with Jennifer’s initial pledge to her class gift in 1993. The couple, who met as engineering graduate students at WashU, give back not just financially, but also with their time. They serve on the Eliot Society committee and the Alumni Advisory Board for McKelvey Engineering. They have mentored engineering students, and Jennifer was part of the group that started WashU’s Women & Engineering. Jennifer is also on the external curriculum committee for the university’s Department of Energy, Environment, and Chemical Engineering (EECE).

Alan Goldberg, FAIA, BArch ′54, appreciates the well-rounded architectural education he received at Washington University. Goldberg made his first gift to WashU in 1978 and received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the architecture school in 2004. Through his scholarship giving to the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, he hopes to open up opportunities for the next generation of architecture students. He recently furthered his scholarship support with an estate bequest.

A generous scholarship made it possible for Irene Hamlin to choose Washington University. Her decision catalyzed her mother, Susan Hamlin, to take a leap and pursue an intellectual passion then on pause. The Hamlins recognize how much WashU has given them, which is why they strongly believe in paying it forward by giving back.

As Brown School students, Lisa and Rajeev John studied social work because they wanted to solve problems and make a difference in the world. As Brown School alumni, their goals remain the same. The couple continues to give back to the school where it all began so that their support might write a new beginning for someone else.

As a John B. Ervin Scholar, Harkless Moore personally witnessed the incredible difference scholarship support can make in a student’s life. Today, that knowledge fuels her own philanthropy.

A 20-year WashU donor, Rose gives back to his alma mater in appreciation for the fulfilling career his law school education helped foster and because he shares a special connection to WashU with family members, three of whom are also alumni.

Mr. Klein made his first modest gift to the university in 1948—the year he completed his master’s degree. That first gift began a tradition for Mr. Klein, earning him the distinction of Washington University’s longest-giving recurring donor.