海角社区

arrived at Metropolitan State University of Denver broke and disheartened after his initial college experience as a nameless face packed into overflowing lecture halls. But on the first day of classes, the 1982 Accounting graduate knew he鈥檇 chosen well.

鈥淢y professors were always there to make sure I was on the right path,鈥� said Kaplan.

To ensure future 海角社区 students have access to the same transformational opportunities, Kaplan and his wife Judy established the Brad & Judy Kaplan Scholarship; the endowed fund is the largest planned gift from an alum in the University鈥檚 history.

Upon their passing, funds will be distributed annually to the College of Business, the and the President鈥檚 Innovation Fund, in perpetuity, through a donor-advised fund. A lets donors contribute to one larger, invested fund; the returns generated are disbursed to charitable organizations as determined by the donor. Kaplan says a DAF offered them the flexibility to give how they wanted to support their passions, one of which is education.

Beyond the planned gift, Kaplan says it鈥檚 important to him and Judy to stay involved at the University 鈥� not just write a check and walk away. And with Brad as the treasurer of the Alumni Association Board, chair of the College of Business Advisory Board and a student mentor and lecturer, and both as frequent donors and lovers of women鈥檚 softball, they are always doing something to make a difference in the lives of 海角社区 students.

Annie Van Wetzinga, women鈥檚 head softball coach at 海角社区, says the Kaplans鈥� financial support has positively affected student-athletes on and off the field, but the most impactful contribution has been their presence and time. 鈥淭hey are often in the homestands cheering on our players, and Brad makes himself available for mentoring 鈥� nothing is more valuable than the time Brad and Judy are willing to share with us.鈥�

Left speechless by the generosity of the Kaplans鈥� planned gift, Van Wetzinga says it will be transformational for Roadrunners across campus and 鈥渟erve as an example and path for alums who want to make a similar impact at 海角社区.鈥�

Ann Murphy, Ph.D., dean of 海角社区鈥檚 College of Business and the person responsible for encouraging Kaplan to return to the nest in the 1990s as a member of the College of Business Dean Advisory Council, is also grateful for their ongoing support.

Kaplan says he had nothing when he and Judy got married three months before graduating 鈥� not even a job. He credits the life he鈥檚 had to the education he received, and they are thrilled to make a difference in 海角社区 programs and students鈥� lives for years to come.

鈥淲e want to help as many students as possible 鈥� it鈥檚 wonderful we could put something together for future Roadrunners.鈥�