Fiat women’s and philanthropic leadership at Alfred University

Dear Alfred University students, staff, and faculty:

Alfred University is fortunate to have alumni whose generosity supports the educational mission of our institution. Their experience here had a profound impact on their lives and their philanthropy is paying it forward for future Alfred University students.

Mildred “Millie” Haerter Pape ’40 is one such wonderful example. Millie, who passed away in March, created a $2 million endowment bequest, through our planned-giving society, the Heritage Circle, to support our Women’s Leadership Center (WLC).

Millie earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Alfred University and was a mathematics teacher and guidance counselor in her native Teaneck, New Jersey, before retiring in 1980. She loved to tell the story of how she ended up attending Alfred University. She and a good friend from high school, Evelyn Timmens Konanz Klink ’40, first enrolled at New Jersey College for Women. Evelyn didn’t like it, and when she decided to transfer to Alfred University, Millie did as well. Neither of them regretted the decision.

“Millie Pape was an incredibly warm and astute person—she combined impeccable social grace with a clear head for investment decisions, and a lovely sense of humor,” recalls Amy Jacobson, senior director of Advancement at Alfred University, who served as the first director of our Women’s Leadership Center.

Throughout her life, Millie remained interested in hearing news about her alma mater. In 2006 Millie—who along with the late Beth Robinson Judson ’82, was a founding donor of the Women’s Leadership Center—created an endowment to support the WLC, which today is housed in the Beth Robinson Judson ’82 Leadership Center (JLC). Among our WLC programs are the Women’s Leadership Academy, a credit-bearing intensive leadership development experience for selected students, open to both women and men.

While women’s centers are common on college campuses, those that focus on leadership are relatively unique. Thanks to the generosity of alumni like Beth Judson and Millie Pape, our WLC continues to distinguish Alfred University from other universities.

“On behalf of Alfred University and the Advisory Board of the Judson Leadership Center, I express my sincere appreciation for Millie Pape’s generosity,” said Sherry Walton, ’80, ’88 M.S., chair of the JLC Advisory Board. “Millie’s gifts have and will continue to support the Women’s Leadership Center initiatives that are so important to our students, many of whom go on to positions of influence after they leave our University.”

The WLC is “dedicated to promoting the intellectual and social growth of Alfred University’s women students,” according to its mission. This is fitting, as Alfred University is the first co-educational institution in New York State, and the first in the nation to truly educate women on the same basis as men. Millie Pape’s marvelous Heritage Circle bequest in support of our Women’s Leadership Center allows Alfred University to build upon this legacy for generations to come.

If you haven’t already done so and would like to find out more about how to follow Millie Pape’s lead in supporting Alfred University through your estate plans and thereby joining our Heritage Circle please send a reply email.

Fiat women’s and philanthropic leadership at Alfred University! Mark