Newman University alumni Carm and Michael Ludlow, M.D. have made a bequest in their estate plans in the amount of $500,000 to their alma mater. The gift will be designated to the Margaret H. Ludlow Endowed Scholarship Fund to help future Newman students who have a demonstrated financial need.
“We are extremely grateful to the Ludlow family for this very special gift,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. “This is a true testament to Michael and Carm’s spirit of generosity, and will give many future students an opportunity to experience a Newman education and all it has to offer.”
“We appreciate the education we received at Newman and think it gave us a great base to navigate the rest of our lives,” said Carm Ludlow, a 1979 graduate. “I especially needed the financial aid to get through college when I was a student, and there was more government aid at that time than I think there is now. Mike and I think education is important, and this is a good use of our money.”
“We do believe in education, and believe in the development of a critical consciousness regarding social justice while in college, and the importance of the development of a mind capable of critical thinking,” Michael Ludlow said. “These are qualities that last a lifetime. As we support all of those things, we can’t think of a place that does all of that better than Newman University.”
The Ludlows, with support from Michael’s father John, sister and 1982 Newman graduate Liz Ludlow Di Silvestro, and niece and 2011 Newman graduate Maggie Di Silvestro, established the Margaret H. Ludlow Endowed Scholarship Fund in March 1997 in memory of Michael’s mother. The scholarship is for students in need of financial assistance and is not restricted to any particular major or area of study. The $500,000 bequest will be added to the fund upon the Ludlow’s passing.
David Alexander, senior development officer at Newman, noted that estate gifts serve many functions and bring many benefits.
“An estate bequest is quite often the most significant gift a person ever makes,” Alexander said. “When alumni and donors choose to designate a portion of their estate to fund an endowed scholarship like the Ludlows have done, they are in effect establishing a legacy at Newman that will bless generations to come. We believe our planned giving donors are gratified knowing that the impact of their generosity will continue for as long as Newman University exists.”
Newman is currently involved in Facing Forward – A Campaign for Newman University, which is designed to raise $30 million to make renovations to the existing Eck Hall on the Newman campus, build a new 51,400 square foot, two story science building to support science, nursing, and health sciences programs, and provide for student scholarships and the university’s endowment. The Ludlow’s estate gift will be included in the total raised for endowment as part of the campaign, Alexander said.
The Ludlows have a relationship with Newman University that spans four decades and includes the generous sharing of their talents and gifts through financial support, leadership and thousands of hours of service.
Michael earned an undergraduate Chemistry degree in 1978 then proceeded to the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Ludlow is board certified in Family Medicine and has practiced at West Wichita Family Physicians since 1985.
Michael Ludlow served as a member of the Newman University Board of Directors from 1987 to 2005, including four years as Chair, from 1994 to 1998. During his two terms as Chair, he headed efforts to construct O’Shaughnessy Hall and the De Mattias Fine Arts Center, plus the school’s name change to Newman University.
Carm (Faber) Ludlow has been a strong advocate for Newman and Catholic higher education. As a student, she was active in Commissen (student government) and was a cheerleader. She earned an undergraduate degree in English in 1979, and helped support the family by teaching English in the Kansas City area while her husband attended medical school.
After the Ludlows returned to Wichita, Carm taught at Goddard High School and later served as a substitute teacher and volunteer at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic schools. She chaired and served on numerous Newman committees, including Party on the Ponderosa, The Art of Food and Drink and Oktoberfest – Party on the Plaza. She also volunteered many times for the Renaissance Faire and High Tea, and volunteered for the Newman Alumni Office for five years. Carm has hosted many people in the Ludlow home (to help keep alumni engaged with the university and to introduce members of the Catholic community to Newman). She has been a member of the ASC Associates, a group for lay persons who study St. Maria De Mattias’ charism and teachings, since 2011.
The Ludlows have been generous donors to Newman and have supported several major campaigns. The Ludlows have three children, Abbey, Katie and Michael W. (a 2008 Newman graduate), and are very active in their home parish of St. Catherine of Sienna.
