Donor Stories

Like most people who have reached retirement age, when William E. "Bill" Mangold reflects on his life, he has a pretty good idea of what or who has had the most influence on his success and given him the values he carried through adulthood.

For Mangold, much of his success and many of his values came directly from the years he spent at Rockhurst University. "Rockhurst was very influential in developing my life," says Mangold. "There were a lot of good instructors, both Jesuit and laity. And Rockhurst had a required minor in philosophy; that helped develop my beliefs." He initially enrolled in 1940 but didn't finish until 1947 because of the time spent with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II when he won a Bronze Star Medal.

After graduating cum laude from Rockhurst in 1947, Bill earned his Masters degree from the University of Wyoming.

Bill then continued his service to his country by joining the FBI. Later he became a Partner in the firm of Troupe Kehoe Whiteaker & Kent, CPA .

Service was a part of Bill's life throughout his career. He helped Rockhurst with fundraising and serving as a career consultant for students interested in accounting. Bill served as President of the Rockhurst Alumni Association as well as President of Milburn Country Club. In 1971 he served on a citizens review committee to review Kansas City Water Finances.

"Rockhurst is very special," says Mangold, who graduated cum laude with an economics degree and spent most of his career in public accounting in the Kansas City area. He was able to attend college only because Rockhurst and its Honorary Directors Association gave him a scholarship to cover the $125-per-semester tuition.

In appreciation, Mangold provides scholarship assistance to other students, first through his own 50-year membership in the Honorary Directors Association and, then, with a scholarship he set up in memory of his first wife, who died in 1995.

The Mary Margaret Mangold Scholarship at Rockhurst was established in 1996. It goes to graduates of Bishop Miege High School in Johnson County, Kansas, the alma mater of his two children, with accounting students receiving preference. The scholarship is funded with annual gifts of appreciated stock that Mangold invested in 50 years ago at the invitation of John Sullivan, another Rockhurst contributor.

Bill has included The Mary Margaret Mangold Scholarship fund as a beneficiary of his IRA and even has talked his daughter, Jane, into including the scholarship fund in her estate plans. They are one of several 2 generation members of the Heritage Society.

Bill married Constance Peetz on August 1, 1998 with their four daughters and four sons serving as attendants. All their sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren were present for the ceremony.

Mangold and his wife, Connie, split their time between Kansas, Nebraska and Arizona. But no matter how far he travels from Rockhurst University, it will always remain close to his heart. "You receive an education that prepares you for life-not just your business life, but also your religious life. That's worth supporting."

You also may want to make it easy and convenient to have a bequest included in your will. The language below shows how a bequest can very easily be included in your will.

You might find it helpful to select the "print" button on the top of your screen and print this page. You may feel free to give this page to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please have them contact Ed Fredenberg at phone number 816-501-4239 or email me at Edward.Fredenberg@rockhurst.edu.

Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.

1. Bequest of cash

"I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Rockhurst University of Kansas City, MO."

2. Bequest of a percent of the estate

"I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO."

3. Contingent Bequest

"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO."

You may print a Bequest tri-fold brochure. Voice of a Legacy or Will Your Will be Known.