The Joy of Sharing

If there is one nugget of knowledge that George and Elizabeth Seifert want to share after decades of donating to Oakland University, it is this: “You don’t have to be a multimillionaire to experience the joy of sharing with others.”

The Seifert’s relationship with OU began professionally when George, in his role at Ameritech Publishing, was assigned the task of building relationships with universities.

From there, George — a former adjunct professor in various institutions—says, “It was a natural transfer of interest.”

The Seifert-OU philanthropic relationship began with the School of Business Administration, but something else caught the attention of Elizabeth, a former music major.

“Meadow Brook Estate, a one-time musical theater group, was something we had never run into before,” Elizabeth says of the former OU group. “We thought it was novel.”

The Seiferts initially created an endowment for the elite vocal performance group, Meadow Brook Estate, and have since redesignated it to the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Most recently, they have made a significant gift to Varner Act II, the latest fundraising campaign for SMTD. Their generosity is already having a direct impact on students.

“With this assistance, senior William Angliss will be able to complete his studies in World Music through a capstone project in Ghana,” explains Elisabeth Hoegberg, director of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. “A first-generation college student who works multiple jobs to finance his education, William would not have been able to afford the opportunity for global study without this.”

Underscoring the importance of support for students who desire to expand their education globally, Michael Westfall, vice president of University Advancement, reflects, “Oakland University is deeply grateful to George and Elizabeth for their decades of unwavering support and generosity. The Seiferts exemplify the joy of sharing and the transformative power of philanthropy, ensuring that students like William can pursue their passions and achieve their dreams.”

Stories like this, meeting recipients and receiving letters are what motivate the Seiferts.

“These are very important to us and our family; it’s a multi-generational thing being touched by these stories, being inspired to give,” George says, adding that the health of the institution is depending more and more on the ability to fundraise. With this in mind, he hopes he and Elizabeth serve as an example to other potential donors.

“Just helping is the passion,” Elizabeth adds. Her hope for their generous gifts is that students get to experience college at its fullest and “get fun out of life. Don’t be so strict on it: have fun with the music and let others have fun with the music.”

Discover why so many are passionate about the great things happening at the School of Business Administration and the School of Music Theatre and Dance!