Donor Stories
Doreen Lawton
When she started her college
career in her 50s, Doreen
Lawton said she never felt
out of place and was readily
accepted by younger students
and art faculty alike. "Even
my kids were proud of me for
going back to school," she said
of her three children. Doreen
graduated in 1988 and fully
enjoyed her seven years as a
substitute teacher in every grade
and subject.
Those who have taught
no doubt admire Doreen's
perseverance as a substitute
teacher. She landed her "dream
job" the last seven years of her
career and taught art at the
elementary level in the Livonia
public schools.
"I had such good preparation
to teach, coming from my
education at Eastern. Even
at the elementary level, we
integrated art history and
studied the great artists. Because
of the care and concern shown
by my art professors at EMU,
particularly Richard Fairfield, I
wanted to give back to the Art
Department." Professor Fairfield also helped Doreen secure
a merit scholarship, which was a great help in financing
her education.
Doreen also benefited from a wonderful travel-study
experience through the European Cultural
History Tour, offered by EMU during the
1980s. The caring atmosphere is one of the
reasons Doreen established a charitable gift
annuity with EMU, which provides her a
guaranteed and lifetime stream of income.
Through this planned gift, she will help
other art students for years to come.
