Following family
Anna Coleman’s grandparents met and fell in love at CMU, and then so did her parents.
When Anna was growing up, they all spoke so highly of the university that Anna knew it would be a good choice for her. She’s a sophomore majoring in communication disorders.
Coleman, from Waggingers Falls, N.Y., receives the Legacy Program tuition rate to attend CMU, which is given to non-Michigan residents who are children or grandchildren of alumni. The value of the award is equal to the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for the academic year. Currently the award is valued at $12,090 per year.
Anna’s parents, Paul Coleman, Ph.D. ’83, and Jody Coleman, ’81, were happy with their daughter’s choice.
“We both really liked CMU, so we were enthusiastic,” Paul says.
And with three college-aged children next year, the in-state tuition rate for an out-of-state student was a plus for the Colemans, who visit campus twice a year to move Anna and her furniture back and forth between Michigan and New York.
Anna’s grandmother, Beverly Wangberg, ’50, lives in Mount Pleasant, and her grandfather, the late David Wangberg, ’50, was an adjunct professor in psychology at CMU. Anna’s aunt and uncle live in Mount Pleasant, and her aunt, Lori Wangberg, ’84, works for University Health Services on campus.
All these family connections make Anna feel right at home in Mount Pleasant.
When Anna became the third generation of her family to attend CMU, “it took on some extra meaning,” Paul says. “It makes Central feel more like family. It has become an integral part of our family history rather than just a sidebar.”
Betty Wagner, director of admissions at CMU, says the Legacy Program helps alumni remain connected to CMU through their children and grandchildren.
“The Legacy Program makes an investment in a quality education more affordable for out-of-state students than many universities in their own home state,” Wagner says. “This award helps to perpetuate and enhance the lifelong relationship between the university and its graduates.”
For Ross Somerville, CMU is a connection to his late grandparents.
Ward Youry, ’39, and Marguerite Schultz Youry, ’39, met during art classes at CMU. They married in 1942 and moved to California to pursue their teaching careers and start a family. Ward was a college art professor, and Marguerite taught third grade.
“I always heard about CMU,” says Somerville, a sophomore majoring in public relations and minoring in marketing. “They had a lot of good memories here.”
Somerville grew up in Long Beach, California. When it was time to consider universities, CMU was on his list because of his grandparents’ stories about Central when he was growing up.
“CMU sounded like it was a really good place,” Somerville says. “I had heard such good things about it. I know they would be really proud of me if they were here.”
For more information about CMU’s Legacy Program, call undergraduate admissions at 1-888-292-5366. •
