The Past Shapes the Future: John '60 and Anne Hewes '61 Yanuklis

John '60 and Ann Hewes '61 Yanuklis did not leave their legacy at Susquehanna University to chance. They made the university a better place from the time they enrolled as students and remained committed to that goal throughout their lives. Through their charitable planning 30 years ago, their generosity will continue to positively impact students at Susquehanna for generations to come.

John and Ann's Susquehanna story is the stuff of fairy tales. John met Ann when he was a sophomore and she was a first-year student. They were both active in Greek life. John was a Lamda Chi Alpha brother and Ann was a sister of Alpha Delta Pi. The couple started dating after Ann's sorority sisters encouraged her to ride home with John after an away football game. Before John graduated, he gave Ann his fraternity pin on the front steps of Seibert Hall. Later, when the building was undergoing renovations, Ann saved a piece of the floor as a memento.

After graduating, John entered the National Guard for six months of basic training. Ann was disappointed that he was unable to attend SU's Homecoming coronation, where she was crowned the 1960 Homecoming Queen, but by the time Ann graduated the following May, the two were engaged. They married in October 1961 and shared 50 years together until John's passing in 2011.

John began his career in February 1961, when he entered a training program at U.S. Gypsum. After working for USG for more than 20 years, John and several colleagues formed their own company. The eventual sale of John's company provided the opportunity for John and Ann to give back to Susquehanna. When they established their gift in 1997, John and Ann stated, "We felt we owed it to Susquehanna if we did well, and we wanted to make a contribution."

John and Ann created a charitable remainder unitrust, which provided them with regular payments for life. The portion of the trust's remainder that was allocated to Susquehanna came to the university earlier this year, after Ann's passing. When they established their trust, John and Ann decided to create two funds to provide support for their charitable priorities at Susquehanna. One provides for athletics, one of John's greatest passions. Ann's fund created a scholarship for female students with financial need. Since both funds are now endowed, they will generate income to support the university and the causes the couple cared about in perpetuity.

John and Ann believed that the lasting support their gift would provide for Susquehanna students was important. "It was a great opportunity for us to go to Susquehanna," Ann said. "We want the university to continue providing opportunities for students."

The university is grateful for John and Ann's insights and desire to give back to others. It is an honor to uphold their legacy. To learn more about legacies at Susquehanna, click here .