A Profile in Philanthropy

William J. Wolfe

William J. Wolfe

Profiles in Philanthropy is an on-going feature that seeks to recognize and convey appreciation to visionary philanthropists like William Wolfe of Tucson, AZ. The second objective of the feature is to inform members on the various ways gifts can be made to the Phi Kappa Phi Foundation, Inc. Mr. Wolfe chose to gift stocks that had appreciated in value. Working with his financial advisor, he made a tax-wise gift to endow a post-baccalaureate Fellowship in memory of his paternal grandfather. This interview will introduce this member and his reasons for making a leadership gift to the Foundation.

 

 

Questions:

Where and when were you initiated into Phi Kappa Phi?

In 1994, the year I received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Art from the University of Arizona.

What did the honor mean to you then?

I was deeply grateful to be given Phi Kappa Phi membership together with the distinctive honor of magna cum laude from the UA College of Fine Arts.

And what does Phi Kappa Phi mean to you now?

It's an endless thrill to be associated with such an extensive and splendid organization dedicated to the pursuit and love of learning. I enjoy reading the Society's publications and keeping up with continual news of its widespread encouragement for scholarship.

Why did you choose to honor your grandfather [Alfred M. Wolfe] by having a Phi Kappa Phi fellowship named for him?

Alfred M. Wolfe

My paternal grandfather has meant a great deal to me throughout my life. More than anyone else, he inspired me to take up public school teaching for a career, to place great value on family life, and to regard nature with unceasing awe and wonder. In many ways, except for preferring city life to farming, I have modeled my own life after his. He was a one-room country school teacher of grades K-8 for some 30 years in Indiana. Among his many pupils were his own three children. Besides teaching, he delighted in farming as a livelihood and in writing as an avocation. He was the first person in our family history to earn a college degree. In fact, majoring in Classical Studies, he acquired his degree in 1897 - the same year Phi Kappa Phi was established!

 

How do you feel, knowing that your grandfather's memory will live on in perpetuity as a result of your gift?

I'm inexpressibly glad that in this significant way I can extend the memory of him and his good name in the fields of education and English, about which he cared very much. I designated the fellowship for graduate studies in English because my grandfather proved to me his exemplary knack for beautiful penmanship, eloquent conversation, and literary creativity.

If a Phi Kappa Phi member were to call you tomorrow to ask about your making a leadership gift to Phi Kappa Phi, what would your response be?

I would say first that Phi Kappa Phi is a community of scholars, high achievers in many areas of learning, and that it's a unique honor to be joined with people who truly appreciate educational excellence. I would say next that whomever helps ensure due recognition and proper reward for meritorious scholarship is bound to enjoy sharing in support of the Society's ideals.

Will you trace your gift from the time you first thought about endowing a fellowship until it was completed?

It was the July 2004 issue of the Phi Kappa Phi Focus that got me thinking about a fellowship. After seeing the pictures there of the 2004-2005 graduate fellowship winners, with captions naming their institutions and fields of study, I picked up the phone and called Phi Kappa Phi's 800 number. Dr. Snyder and Mrs. Barro answered each of my questions and offered suggestions that facilitated the process. As we were completing the details, the executive director came to see me, and we had a quite satisfying visit. Available at the Baton Rouge office, literature on tax-deductible donation was helpful for making the new fellowship endowment a happy reality.