Lincoln (Neb.) - Dec. 7, 2000 - John and Catherine Angle of Lincoln recently gave $250,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish the Angle professorship in the humanities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Arts and Sciences.
A match from the Donald and Mildred Othmer estate supplements the gift's income, creating the equivalent of a $500,000 endowment.
"We believe excellent faculty are the core of the university," said John Angle. "The humanities touch virtually every student who comes though the university, and hopefully this professorship recognizes the importance of those disciplines."
Linda Pratt, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed appreciation for the Angles' generosity. "The Angle professorship addresses critical needs in the college right now," she said. "This endowment allows us to maintain a balance between arts and sciences, which is critical to the college's identity."
The college plans to award the professorship to someone in the English, history or modern languages departments.
John and Catherine Angle's dedication to UNL is also exemplified by their volunteer involvement. They serve as members of the College of Arts and Sciences advisory board, the University of Nebraska Foundation trustees and in past presidential roles for the Friends of the UNL Libraries and the Friends of UNL Gardens.
"The Angles are longtime friends of the arts and sciences and indeed of the university," said Pratt. "Both of them understand the humanities in such a sophisticated and informed way and have been faithful, attentive members of the dean's council of visitors."
The Angle professorship accompanies another professorship given by them to the college in 1994. The James L. Sellers professorship in history honors Catherine Angle's father, a former professor of history at the university.
"John and I believe our newest professorship is a good follow-up to the Sellers professorship," said Catherine Angle. "Just as my father was highly devoted to the university and was always interested in making it better, we hope our gifts also spark greater interest in the humanities at the university."
The Angles met in Lincoln and lived there for several years before moving to New York, where John served as chief executive officer of Guardian Life Insurance. He retired after 15 years with the company, and the couple returned to Lincoln.
Catherine Angle enjoys involvement in several civic activities and taught English for a year at UNL. She assists with a reading program at Teachers College. The couple has two children, Margaret and James.
"We believe the humanities is one of the greatest areas of need at UNL, and we took this small step to help meet that need," said John Angle. "The timing seemed right, and we're pleased our contribution goes further with a match from the Othmer endowment."
The University of Nebraska Foundation is a nonprofit corporation
supplementing support for students, faculty, facilities and programs at
the University of Nebraska's four campuses through gifts from alumni,
friends, corporations and other foundations.
Back to menu
For questions regarding these releases, contact:
tsimons1@unl.edu
(402) 472-8514, Fax: (402) 472-7825