Generosity of the Late Prof. Mary Lou Miller Provides $2.5 Million to Community Foundation

December 26, 2007

December 26, 2007, Greencastle, Ind. - A posthumous gift by Mary Louise Miller, professor emeritus of physical education, is enriching the coffers of the Putnam County Community Foundation by $1.36 million. The funds are being placed in a "charitable remainder trust that will help nine groups," notes Greencastle's Banner-Graphic, which refers to Miller as "Putnam County's First Lady of Philanthropy." A longtime supporter and board member of the Foundation, she died in January 2007 at age 97.

"Almost 20 years ago, a single woman began a legacy of generosity that has put more than $2.5 million into the Putnam County Community Foundation, and the organizations it supports," begins the newspaper article. Miller's estate presented the PCCF with a check for $1,359,316 this month. "During her life, she gave nearly $1.2 million of direct gifts through some 77 separate donations to the foundation. Most notable was her recognition of the need to help the Community Foundation become independent and self-sustaining," writes Lisa Meyer Trigg.

Professor Miller's newest gift will benefit the American Red Cross of Putnam County, the Humane Society of Putnam County, DePauw University, Putnam County Hospice Fund, Second Congregational Church of Christ in Rockford, Ill., United Church of Christ (Congregational) in Williams Bay, Wis., Heidelberg College in Ohio and Rockford College in Illinois.

Read more at the Banner-Graphic's Web site.

Mary L. Miller joined the DePauw faculty in 1942 and retired in 1974. She was named director of women's physical education in 1959.

Mary Lou Miller was a member of the DePauw faculty from 1942 to 1974. She also served as general chair of the Women's National Aquatic Forum.

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