Doane gift supports student veterans

After a lifetime of service, first in the U.S. Air Force and later to Michigan State University, Charles (Bud) Doane (’48, Business) chose to create a legacy gift endowment to help current and future veterans enrolled at MSU.

 

            Bud hopes his gift will strengthen MSU’s commitment to assist student veterans in earning the education they need to re-enter the work force. The Charles and Dorothy Doane Veterans Educational Trust Endowment is the first source of private resources dedicated to improving the quality of life for MSU student veterans and their families.

 

            Airplanes were a love of Bud’s since childhood and inspired him to enlist in the Air Force Pilot Training Program during World War II, but while waiting for training the war ended and he had wound up serving as a mechanic. He had attended MSU for one year while awaiting duty orders and returned to finish on the GI Bill® through the ROTC program. Still driven to fly, he re-entered the Air Force and was the first MSU ROTC alumnus to earn his wings. He flew for four years in several places, including Korea.

 

            Bud joined MSU’s International Programs staff and became the director of the Office of Overseas Support. He and his wife of 53 years, Dorothy (Dottie) helped establish MSU’s presence in Pakistan, Nigeria, Nepal, and other countries. As assistant alumni director in the MSU Alumni Association, Dottie also directed many international tours. 

 

            “We had a lot of miles on us,” Bud said. “But we were always ready to go.”

 

            The Doane endowment will provide direct scholarship support to undergraduate or graduate student veterans for tuition, books, study abroad, internships, childcare, or housing and can also be used toward counseling services, tutoring, life skills programs, family support services, recreational opportunities, disability support services, and career development services.

 

            “I got to thinking about married vets who have kids and might need help for childcare and other expenses,” Bud said. “My desire to fly drove me and I want future students to be able to pursue whatever is driving them.”

 

            For more information on making a gift to Student Affairs and Services, contact Director of Development Ann Marie Lindley at (517) 432-7543.

 

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill