Donor Stories
Annabelle Sumera,
Wallace and Mayble Cripps
Wallace Cripps; his sister, Annabelle Sumera; and their brother, George, all attended Michigan State Normal College (now EMU) during the 1930s and had fond recollections of their time here.
When Annabelle remembered EMU in her estate with a generous gift, Wallace and his wife, Mayble, soon followed her example and established two charitable gift annuities. Their annuities ultimately will help support the Annabelle Sumera Reading Endowment.
Wallace, Mayble and Annabelle's niece, Barb Tracy, recently traveled to EMU to dedicate the Annabelle Sumera Reading Classroom in the Porter College of Education Building and the Sumera Children's Literature Alcove in the Halle Library, both funded with Annabelle's gift.
Following his graduation from MSNC, Wallace taught at Cranbrook for more than 40 years, where he guided many famous students and was much loved and respected. He shares stories of Dr. Pray and Dr. Harrold, the namesakes for EMU's Pray-Harrold Hall.
Wallace and Mayble reside in Mt. Dora, Fla., where they remain active in their community and with their neighborhood association.
