Engineering students at University of Detroit Mercy will benefit from one of the largest gifts ever given to the University by an alumnus.
Bernard A. Schlaff, who died in 2015 at the age of 95, left $3 million to the University in his will to establish an endowed scholarship for students studying Engineering in the University’s nationally recognized College of Engineering & Science.
Schlaff, who graduated from the University of Detroit in 1944 with a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering degree, had a long career, with positions at NASA’s Ames Aeronautical Laboratory, Lockheed Missiles & Space Company and Boeing Aircraft Co.
“Bernard was always impeccably dressed, a gentleman’s gentleman, extremely well-mannered,” his Trustee Pat Bye said. “He was an artist who loved to draw portraits, cars, landscapes and was involved in car design competitions. He was highly respected in the aeronautical world and sought after for his unending forward thinking.”
Three boxes of effects forwarded to the University late last year included his report cards, letters, graduation programs, University of Detroit yearbooks and other mementos of his educational experience.
“This generous gift from Mr. Schlaff reflects the deep appreciation he held for this University,” said Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi, president of University of Detroit Mercy. “This endowed scholarship will provide an engineering education for current and future Detroit Mercy students forever, while also perpetuating the memory of Bernard Schlaff.”
His trustee, Patricia Bye, worked with Schlaff in setting up this gift.
“Bernard was always impeccably dressed, a gentleman’s gentleman, extremely well-mannered,” she said. “He was an artist who loved to draw portraits, cars, landscapes and was involved in car design competitions. He was highly respected in the aeronautical world and sought after for his unending forward thinking.”
Schlaff never married and had no children. He had two sisters, one of whom survived him.
Schlaff’s gift is among the largest gifts ever left to the University and will be used to create an Engineering endowed scholarship in his name. Endowed scholarships remain a permanent source of support for the University; the interest from those funds is distributed as scholarships.
Detroit Mercy’s Planned Giving Program offers several ways to remember the University in an estate plan, many have the benefit of reducing the burden of estate taxes for family and other survivors.
To find out more about planned giving, contact Milbauer at milbaubs@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1600 or visit udmercy.myplannedgift.org.
