Businessman replaces yanked UT bequest
6/8/2013In the midst of recent controversy over the termination of transfer agreements with abortion clinics at the University of Toledo, a semiretired business owner donated $30,001 to the University of Toledo Foundation on Friday afternoon.
Rob Krieger hand-delivered his donation to Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, university president, and Vern Snyder, the university’s vice president for institutional advancement.
He is a 1969 University of Toledo graduate and is the owner of Checker Distributors, a wholesale distribution company with an office in Maumee.
The donation comes two months after Steven Kramer of Perrysburg, a retired UT engineering professor, notified the university he was writing it out of his will.
Originally, Mr. Kramer bequeathed $30,000 to the school’s engineering department in 1999.
“Several things have influenced this decision. The latest one is the decision not to renew the medical transfer agreement with Capital Care Network,” Mr. Kramer wrote in an April 9 letter to Mr. Snyder notifying the university of the change to his will.
In early April, Dr. Jacobs announced he would not renew a transfer agreement with Capital Care Network, an abortion clinic.
He also said he would end negotiations for a new transfer agreement with another clinic, Center for Choice.
Mr. Krieger said his donation, given under the name of the Julius Krieger Trust, was not meant to be political but to make sure the university was able to continue to offer quality programs and education.
“I don’t want a political left or right,” he said. “... I don’t care about abortion. I just want to see that the university’s financially sound.”
Mr. Krieger said he was not giving the donation to spite Mr. Kramer.
“I don’t care what he does. I don’t care if he’s a liberal or a Democrat or a Martian. I just want to give that to the university. I do wish him a long retirement and a long life. I’m not wishing this guy any malice or anything negative,” he said, adding, “If this guy loves the university or supports the university, why is he hurting the university?”
He said he credits the university with helping him and he has never donated before.
He said Friday afternoon was his first time meeting Mr. Snyder and Dr. Jacobs.
“They’re very responsible people. My whole justification is to support the university,” Mr. Krieger said.
University spokesman Jonathan Strunk issued a statement Friday about the donation.
“We are thankful for Mr. Krieger’s generosity. As our capital campaign continues, it is gifts like Mr. Krieger’s that we hope will inspire donors at all giving levels to support University of Toledo students, faculty and programs.”
The university is conducting a capital campaign aimed at raising $200 million.
Contact Kelly McLendon at: kmclendon@theblade.com or 419-724-6522, or on Twitter @KMcBlade.