1909 Legacy Society
Our Storied History
A generous bequest by Dr. Samuel Merritt upon his death in 1890 eventually led to the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing in 1909. Over more than 113 years, that School of Nursing has evolved into a university offering bachelor's degrees in nursing and graduate degrees in nursing, occupational and physical therapy, physician assistant, and podiatric medicine in four locations in Northern and Central California, as well as online.
The 1909 Legacy Society
Samuel Merritt University's 1909 Legacy Society builds on the commitment of Dr. Samuel Merritt by recognizing the generous alumni, faculty, staff, and friends who support the education of our students through their estate and gift plans. Every gift helps expand the impact of an outstanding health science education in Northern California and beyond.
Benefits of Joining
Members receive invitations to exclusive events, university news, and acknowledgements in our donor honor roll and other opportunities.
Join Us
Have you already included SMU in your estate plans? We want to learn about your goals, recognize your generosity, and welcome you into our family of legacy donors. Please complete the form below to join or request more information, or contact Penny Peak, Director of Development, Planned Giving, at (510) 879-3349 or [email protected]. Your inquiry will be treated confidentially and we respect all requests for anonymity.
View the Current List of Members
1909 Legacy Society Honor Roll
Members as of December 31, 2023
*Founding Members, whose generous gifts and intentions were recognized prior to the creation of the 1909 Legacy Society in 2019.
- Raphael B. Arner, DPM 1958 *
- Cyril J. Attwood, MD *
- Valborg M. Bailey *
- Dolores V. Barbera *
- Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bechtel, Sr. *
- Irene Best *
- Gerldine E. Borgeson '68
- Elizabeth Smith Buchanan 1927 *
- Hanes A. Burkart, DPM 1972 *
- Amelia Califro *
- Dorothy Zwinge Clazie 1936 *
- Margaret C. Connolly *
- Joseph Costa *
- Ethel Cross *
- Katrina Jawitz Di Pasqua, DPM 1990
- Dennis Dice, DPM 1972 and Donna Dice
- Elizabeth M. Digardi 1945 *
- Dr. and Mrs. Roger R. Ecker
- Agnes Lucille Engel 1944 *
- Robert L. Erhardt *
- Margaret E. Camp Fisher 1936 *
- Robert P. Fisher *
- John Garten-Shuman *
- Wilfred R. Gartner, DPM 1971 *
- Dawn Baldwin Gilson 1928 *
- Fred Goldstein, DPM and Estelle Goldstein *
- Mr. and Mrs. John A. Graziano *
- Kirsten Bertelsen Griffin, '61
- Marguerite Griswold *
- Anita M. Heeney *
- John S. Hege, MD *
- Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Highsmith *
- Edwin Hobgood, DPM 1965 *
- Arline T. Hotle *
- Edward A. Howard *
- Shirley Ann Jaeger *
- Elsie Gerrior Karmann '17 and Karl Karmann *
- Dr. Sarah B. Keating *
- Burgess S. Kelly, DPM *
- Anna Rose Lamore *
- Genelle M. Lemon 1939 *
- Russell O. Lewis, DPM 1965 and Antoinette M. Lewis *
- Robert O. Lindwall *
- Patricia O. Lisser *
- Roy Lucks *
- Margaret McWhorter *
- Marie J. Niemann 1954 *
- Marie Adele Samson *
- Andrew Schink, DPM 1978 and Jan Schink
- Thelma C. Scott 1939 and Robert W. Scott *
- Marilyn M. Snider
- Bill and Jan Stamos *
- Jane Steel *
- G.S. Towne *
- Keith W. Tucker and Joseph F. Koelmel *
- Joanne Volponi *
- Berla Warren *
- Louise F. Watts *
- Anita Weber Wies, Providence '60
- Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Wood *
- Millicent A. Zaludek
- Michael Zapf, DPM 1984 and Jacqueline Zapf, JD
We have taken great care to accurately recognize our generous legacy donors; however, we are happy to correct any errors or omissions. Please contact us at [email protected].
