Donor Stories
Irene Margaret Smith—Valued Friend of EMU
Irene Margaret Smith has strong ties to Eastern Michigan
University. Her beloved husband, H. James Smith, was a
graduate of 1943, and her in-laws lived in Ypsilanti for years.
Her mother-in-law, Mary Smith, served as a longtime staff
member at the University library and her father-in-law, Homer
Smith, was a close personal friend of EMU legend, Bingo
Brown. Homer was a professional boxer and one-time
heavyweight champion of Michigan. During his career he
boxed several heavyweight champions, including a match
against Jack Dempsey in 1918.
Because of these ties, when Irene was looking for ways to
diversify her retirement plan, she contacted the EMU
Foundation to establish a charitable gift annuity. To date, Irene
has two gift annuities with the Foundation and has hopes of
establishing a third.
Through her planned gifts, Irene will honor the memory of
her beloved husband, who passed away in 2003. By creating a
testamentary scholarship, she will provide financial support to
future teachers and help them to fulfill their dreams of
educating our nation's youth. As well, the charitable gift
annuity will provide Irene a guaranteed lifetime income stream.
Irene spends her time volunteering for the Advisory Council
of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. She retired
from this agency after 11 years of service. She is thrilled to have
the opportunity to give back to an institution that has touched
her family so much.
