Elny and William Chance Endow Fund
A long and friendly relationship between the University Libraries and the Chance family ended in January of this year, when Mrs. Chance passed away in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Chance had corresponded for many years with Karyl Winn, Manuscripts and University Archives, mostly regarding the donation of the papers of her husband, poet and teacher, William W. Chance.
Elny Chance emigrated from Denmark in 1912, and grew up in Montana, where she taught school in an old house heated by a potbelly stove in the historic town of Bannock. She was married for 48 years to William W. Chance, who earned an MA at the UW in 1948 and later taught at Montana Tech in Butte. From 1971 until his death in 1986, Mr. Chance wrote poetry full-time, and donated his writings to Manuscripts and University Archives over a long period. Mrs. Chance later contributed towards their processing, and since her gift was not used completely, gave permission to initiate the unit's first endowment. There were holiday cards and fruitcakes exchanged, and detailed correspondence describing the processing of additional materials received from Mrs. Chance throughout several years.
The University Libraries was notified early this year of Mrs. Chance's bequest of more than $82,000 for Manuscripts and University Archives. This legacy was added to the endowment made possible by her earlier contribution in William's name, and will remain a fitting testimonial to two creative people who greatly believed in libraries.
How to Be a "Literary Concierge"
How many miles of shelving does Suzzallo Library hold? On what floor is the Copy Center? How do I access the UW Libraries Catalog? What is Research Express? Where do I sign up for my e-mail account?
These and other questions are answered by volunteers in a program initiated by the Friends of the University of Washington Libraries, called the Libraries Associates Program. At the beginning and end of the quarter, community volunteers staff a desk at the west entrance of Suzzallo Library to provide directions and respond to questions from students and visitors. About 15 volunteers currently participate in shifts of two or more hours at the desk, and find they are busy nearly the entire time. From all accounts, the program is working very well, with an enthusiastic response from both students and library staff. New participants in the program are always welcome. For more information, or to find out how you can be a "literary concierge," please call Jacob Korg, chair, Library Associates, at 525-2275.
Suzzallo Society Inaugural Gathering
President McCormick welcomed members of the Henry Suzzallo Society for a private viewing of The Monsen Collection at the Henry Gallery on October 13, 1997. The Society, named after Henry Suzzallo, UW president from 1915 to 1926, was recently established to recognize and honor individuals who have provided for a future gift through a bequest under a will or trust, a life insurance beneficiary designation, or a similar revocable deferred gift. President McCormick emphasized the importance of the Society to the University, and lauded those present for their foresight and generosity.
Deferred gifts from the past continue to make a difference to the institution today. Such contributions include the Walker Ames legacy, the bequest from Caroline McGilvra Burke to establish the Burke Museum, and the estate distribution from Prentice Bloedel. The University Libraries has been the fortunate beneficiary of several major bequests, including a distribution from the will of Helen Johns and a recent bequest from Elny Chance.
If you have provided for a bequest or other revocable deferred gift, the Henry Suzzallo Society is especially for you. Please call Marjan Petty, Libraries director of development, for further information at 206-685-1973. She can give assistance, including sample bequest language that is tailored to meet both the donor's interests and the Libraries' needs for review by the donor and his or her advisor. All inquiries are confidential and without any obligation.
Funds for the following research and reference tools are being sought by the Drama Library:
For more information, please contact the Libraries' director of development, Marjan Petty, at 685-1973 or mcpetty@u.washington.edu.