Winter 2025 Delta Upsilon Quarterly

Ignite The Charge Campaign Impact Grows

The Ignite The Charge Campaign continued its impact on DU undergraduates, chapters and volunteers in early 2025 with our cutting-edge programs and Building Better Men initiatives. Expanded scholarships were offered for the Presidents Academy, Global Service Initiative, DU Emerging Leaders Experience and Regional Leadership Academies in January and February. Rounding out the spring will be custom-facilitated Building Better Men Retreats funded by DUEF donors, which helps ensure our programming reaches more young men at the local level.

Highlights of the Campaign impact are shared on the right, and the number of young men impacted annually will continue to increase.

Improvements also continue in the DU Portal with more online resources rolling out each month.

All of this and more is only possible because of ongoing supporters of the DUEF.

Thank you!

“I am excited about executing a vision for the coming year. I feel ready to lead my chapter because of the curriculum and chances to speak with other DU leaders. Thank you for making my attendance at Presidents Academy possible.”

Will Ryan, Villanova '26

Lester Cox Benefactors
Building Better Men Forever

Some DUEF supporters make a lasting impact by joining the Heritage Circle, which honors living brothers and friends who include the DUEF as a beneficiary in their will, insurance policy, 401(k), or other deferred giving instrument. The DUEF recently received three estate gifts from supporters who will forever be known as Lester Cox Benefactors in honor of Lester E. Cox, Pennsylvania 1898. The legacy of these loyal DU supporters will live on in the hearts and minds of young DUs.

Jerry Caplan, Syracuse ’55 - $50,000 Estate Gift
Longtime DUEF supporter Gerald (Jerry) Caplan, Syracuse ’55, provided an unrestricted estate gift of $50,000 to Delta Upsilon. The gift was split 50/50 with the Annual Loyalty Fund and the Unrestricted Endowment Fund—both of which advance all Building Better Men initiatives benefitting our undergraduates, chapters, and volunteers.

David Lewis, Missouri ’68 - $5,272 Estate Gift
Brother David Lewis, Missouri ’68, provided an unrestricted estate gift of $5,272, which was split 50/50 with the DU Educational Foundation's Annual Loyalty Fund and the Unrestricted Endowment Fund. His generosity will be used to support Delta Upsilon’s Building Better Men programs and initiatives.

Wilma & Aldie Johnson, Iowa State ’47 - $68,750 Estate Gift
After meeting at a DU dance while at Iowa State, Aldie and Wilma (Kappa Kappa Gamma) became lifelong supporters of the fraternity/sorority experience. They were consistent supporters of the Annual Loyalty Fund and each included gifts to Delta Upsilon in their trusts. Although Aldie passed away on Sept. 23, 2012, Wilma passed on Aug. 31, 2023, which was five weeks shy of her 100th birthday. The DUEF received an estate gift totaling $68,750 that will be used to continue their passion for developing and educating the leaders of tomorrow.

Most Common ways to Join the Heritage Circle

Charitable Bequest

Gift the DUEF cash, securities, property, or a percentage of your estate through your will/trust.

Retirement Plan Beneficiary

Name the DUEF as a beneficiary of your 401(k), IRA or other retirement plans.

Life Insurance Policy

Name the DUEF as the owner or beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

Want to learn more about the Heritage Circle?

Do you have questions, or is the DU Educational Foundation already in your will or estate plans?