Gifts in Action - Bunting and Blucher

MEET BUNTING AND BLUCHER

Bob Bunting and Beverly Blucher’s first contact with the University of Illinois at Chicago was a telephone call offering a significant bequest to endow an MBA fellowship fund. The couple wanted the fund to benefit nontraditional students—such as older returning persons, immigrants or single parents—who couldn’t afford to pursue MBA without financial assistance. Originally from Toronto, the two looked for a Chicago university where their gift would make the greatest difference. UIC stood out for several reasons, among them its high number of first-generation students.

WHY THEY GAVE

“The UIC business school fit the profile that we were looking for,” said Bunting. “They had the students who were most likely to benefit,” said Blucher, adding she would like the fellowships to support “single parents of either gender.” Bunting and Blucher both obtained their MBAs later in life and wanted to give back to the community that helped them achieve success.

HOW THEY GAVE

In addition to the bequest, the couple has also made annual fellowship gifts that provide full tuition support for between two and five students.