Robert McColl, professor emeritus of geography and East Asian studies at the University of Kansas, and his wife, Suzanne Ecke McColl, are not alumni of UWM. Neither has ever worked for the University, nor have they even lived in Milwaukee. Even so, they have donated a very unique collection of Chinese geographic materials and have committed a very generous seven-figure bequest to the American Geographical Society Library (AGSL), which is housed within the UWM Libraries.

The McColls were contemplating donating their Chinese geographic materials to China, or even selling them, when they first discovered the AGSL at UWM. “The AGS board of directors had a meeting at the Library to give an award,” said Dr. McColl. “That’s when I first saw it. I was impressed to see it first-hand, and I was impressed with the professionalism of Ewa Barczyk and Chris Baruth.” Ewa is the Director of Libraries, and Chris is the Curator of the AGSL.

Soon after making their gift of the Chinese geographic materials, Dr. and Mrs. McColl met with the UWM Office of Development to discuss including a seven-figure bequest to the AGSL in their estate plans. Dr. McColl shared that it was the donation of their collection that further prompted them to think about how they could continue to support the AGSL in the future. Dr. McColl said he would like to see the AGSL become “the Alexandria Library of geography,” reaching the legendary status of the ancient world’s most famous library.

Dr. and Mrs. McColl also hope their gift will encourage others to think about the UWM Libraries as a means by which their philanthropy can make a difference in the world. Dr. McColl said that the UWM Libraries are run by “good people, who have a commitment to do more and support the growth of this world-class resource.”

For more information on how your gift can support the AGSL or the UWM Libraries, please contact Anne Panter, Director of major and planned giving, at 414-229-3296, or via email at anpanter@uwm.edu.