Alumnus Builds Legacy with Charitable Bequest

Like so many of our current students, Ron Dvorak (’61, ’66 MA) attended Notre Dame on a scholarship. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and, later, a master’s degree in history. He went on to teach at St. Rita’s High School in Chicago for more than 30 years, but “he never forgot what Notre Dame did for him,” recalls his cousin and friend, Joe Grzetic. Ron Dvorak quietly supported his alma mater with small gifts every year.

When he passed away in November 2005, he left a generous $160,000 to Notre Dame in his estate. “He wanted to give back what was given to him,” says his cousin. By including the University in his estate plans, Dvorak was able to bequeath a significant gift. The Ronald J. Dvorak Endowment is a substantial unrestricted fund that will have a lasting impact on the Notre Dame community.

Many alumni are choosing to provide now for a future gift to Notre Dame by including a bequest provision in their wills or revocable trusts. Gifts may be directed to a specific need, such as scholarships, or may be unrestricted for use at the University’s discretion.