A gift given quietly — but with deep love and grace — arrived at Central College in memory of a life-changing education. Rosalie DeWall Park, a 1960 Central graduate, designated a portion of her estate to Central, continuing a legacy of generosity rooted in gratitude and family connections.
Known as Rosy during her college years, Park was an officer in Phi Kappa Omicron, a home economics student organization, in the late 1950s. She shared her Central experience with her sister Colleen DeWall Dikkers, a 1959 graduate.
Park went on to earn a master’s degree in teaching and began her professional career in education, serving as an elementary teacher and reading specialist in the Mt. Morris School District in Illinois.
During her teaching career, she met her husband, Paul Park. After 20 years in education, Park transitioned to work in Lutheran nonprofit organizations, including Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and Lutheran Hillside Village, where she most recently served as assistant director of development.
Through her combined experience in education, development and fundraising — and her enduring appreciation for her Central education — Park understood the importance of giving back. Including Central in her estate planning was a natural expression of that commitment.
Park structured her estate gift as unrestricted, allowing the Central Board of Trustees to direct the funds to areas of greatest need.
“An unrestricted estate gift is one of the biggest blessings a college can receive,” says Michelle Wilkie, senior director of development and engagement. “These gifts meet the needs of an ever-changing environment in higher education providing flexibility and support for the long-term. It helps our institution address priorities now that may have been unforeseen 20 or 30 years ago. These are powerful gifts for a non-profit institution. Once received, they are carefully stewarded. We are so honored to have received this gift from Rosalie and we are grateful for her belief in our mission of the past, present and future.”
For more information about including Central in your estate plans, contact Deb Calderwood, senior planned giving and major gift officer, at calderwoodd@central.edu or call 641-628-5138. Helpful estate resources and planning toolkit are available at plannedgiving.central.edu.
