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Development Notes 
Runck Estate Endows Scholarships in Education
Donald and Betty Runck, both late of Arizona, decided to distribute their considerable estate among a number of units at the University of Michigan, including the School of Education. With the demise of Mr. Runck in 2001 and Mrs. Runck in 2003, the estate came to be distributed according to their wishes and Education received over a half-million dollars for endowed student scholarships.
Mr. Runck was a graduate of the School of Business and was an administrator for Ford Motor Company at its world head-quarters in Dearborn, MI. Mrs. Runck was not a graduate of the University of Michigan, but worked for many years as a social studies teacher in the Southfield school district. There appears to be no distinct connection between the Runcks and several of the units they supported other than a deep belief in the value of education and a broad vision of the importance of a place like the University of Michigan.
While saddened at the new of Mrs. Runck’s passing, Dean Karen Wixson was grateful to receive an endowment of this magnitude. “We think that the Runcks combined their love for the University of Michigan with a profound belief in the importance of education. They combined love and belief in an incredibly generous gift that will assure support for many future generations ofstudents.”
Stephen G. Bates,
Director of Advancement
