Gifts in Action - Glenna Udre

MEET GLENNA UDRE

Glenna Udre, who is now in her 90s, lives in Troy, Missouri, where she is well-known for her local philanthropy and interest in the community. Glenna graduated from the College of Education and taught for many years in the Granite City Public schools from where she retired several years ago.

WHY SHE GAVE

When she graduated from the College her intention was to make a difference in children’s lives as a classroom teacher. Her experiences in the College allowed her to do that during her career and now, with a significant contribution to the College of Education, she’ll be teaching children for decades to come.

HOW SHE GAVE

Her generous deferred gift will fund the Glenna S. Udre Endowment for Literacy in the College. While the fund will support some faculty and student research in reading and writing, it will also allow the creation of a community reading clinic. The clinic will help children of all ages in East Central Illinois become better readers and, ultimately, give them the edge to succeed both academically and in their daily lives.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Dean Susan Fowler says, “Mrs. Udre’s gift is as touching as it is significant. Literacy is the building block for everything we do in our lives. Her clinic isn’t just about teaching kids to read, it is in all honesty, about giving every child the opportunity to pursue his or her dream. I cannot think of any more appropriate legacy for a teacher than that.”