The University of Toledo

Thomas Bequest Emphasizes Importance of Education

Hewas a UT graduate who served as chair of the Toledo Public School Board of Education. She graduated from high school at the age of 14, and was considered a pioneer as one of the first African-American women to receive a master’s in math education from The University of Michigan.

With lives that emphasized the importance of education, it was a natural decision for William Thomas Sr. and his wife, Ruth, to fund scholarships through their estate.

“My parents both came from families who could ill afford to send their children to college,” said their son, William Thomas Jr. (MEd ‘84), UT associate professor of mathematics. “Yet, those families believed that education was the way for everyone, particularly African-Americans, to achieve their dreams.”

His parents were fortunate, Bill Jr. said, to “cobble together” enough money through work, scholarships and support from family and friends to complete their education.

His father, a former UT basketball player, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1936 and a juris doctorate in 1951. He practiced law, while Ruth taught mathematics. She retired as coordinator of math labs for Toledo Public Schools.

“Having benefited from philanthropy, they believed in ‘paying it forward,’” said Bill Jr., “and supporting others who are unable to attend college through their own means.”

Bill Sr. died in May 1988, and Ruth died in July 2008. Through their estate, they provided more than $75,000 in scholarship funding for UT African-American students, divided between three funds:
The Ruth Ann Thomas Scholarship, for math education students
The William N. Thomas Memorial Scholarship (a fund originally established by Mrs. Thomas shortly after her husband’s death), for students in the College of Law
The Cleveland and Zonia Sherman Scholarship, for UT students in any major discipline, established in honor of the couple’s close friends

“I hope this gift will help to support the education of racial and ethnic minorities,” Bill Jr. said, “and enable the scholarship recipients to become supporting members of the American society.”

“Planned giving integrates your charitable intentions and your personal financial planning to meet lifetime needs,” said Nancy Koerner, UT director of planned giving. “This successful combination creates and results in a benefical situation both for our donors and for UT.”