The 2018 Legacy Banquet Program

Honorary Alumni of the Year Mr. Roger and Mrs. Charlotte Kuriger We honor Roger and Charlotte Kuriger for their 50-plus years of support of Cedarville University. They lived a life marked with faithfulness, and we thank God for them. Roger and Charlotte first gave to Cedarville College in January 1960 at the invitation of Roger’s brother-in-law Dale Murphy, a Cedarville University Trustee from 1953–2000. At the time, Cedarville was conducting a Bonds Build Buildings campaign to help with the cost of Faith Hall and Williams Hall, as well as raise funds for scholarships. Later, when the bonds came due, Roger and Charlotte chose to “forgive” the debt. For the next 50-plus years, they faithfully gave modest, consistent gifts to the University. Along with the relationship through their brother-in- law, Roger and Charlotte became familiar with Cedarville through their church, and they believed in its mission and vision. Since they did not have children of their own, they chose to invest in the lives of other young people who would be taught from a biblical perspective and prepared to use their vocations for Christ. Following Roger’s sudden death in 2010, Charlotte chose to make Cedarville the beneficiary of her estate, indicating that she and Roger had talked about leaving “something” to the University. She established two endowed scholarships to be funded by their estate: The Roger and Charlotte Kuriger Accounting Scholarship and The Roger and Charlotte Kuriger Master of Science in Nursing Scholarship. After Charlotte's passing in January 2018, Cedarville University learned that the value of the Kurigers’ gift is the largest estate gift in the history of Cedarville University. This frugal, careful couple neither lived like they hadmoney, nor did they give like it while living. However, their generosity has left a legacy that will continue to bless Cedarville students — and those they go on to serve — until our Lord returns. By naming Cedarville University in their estate, Roger and Charlotte granted us the privilege of “family status.” We welcome them into our family as honorary alumni and are grateful to God for the legacy of this dear couple. Michelle (Murphy) Wiger ’91, Roger and Charlotte’s great-niece, will accept the award in their memory.