Careful Living Allows Wibergs' Major Giving
Like many college graduates, Leslie and Mary (Thompson) Wiberg are grateful for their education-valued even more since the opportunity was unexpected. "I didn't intend to go to college because my family just couldn't afford it," explained Mrs. Wiberg (Ed '53, M.Ed '57). At her high school graduation, however, she received a welcomed surprise: a scholarship to The University of Toledo.
Because she was able to live at home and work in the College of Education (making 55 cents an hour), she was able to earn a degree as well as a part-time income. "Having the University there in Toledo was a real advantage," she said.
The cost of an education was also an issue for Mr. Wiberg. "My parents couldn't afford to send me away to school," he said. With a branch of the University of Wisconsin in town (Eau Claire), he, too, was able to live at home while he obtained his undergraduate degree. He immediately went on to graduate school in Madison, and was fortunate to receive both a fellowship and an assistantship.
The couple said they both benefited from personal attention and excellent educations at their respective schools. In addition, the financial assistance they received had a lasting impact on them. "It always made us aware that the schools had done a lot toward forming our successful lives," Mr. Wiberg said.
She taught home economics for Toledo Public Schools, and he worked on his doctorate and taught history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. When both were recruited by Oak Park and River Forest High School near Chicago, they were introduced to the school from which they would retire-and to each other.
Married in 1965, they thought they might someday have children, and that Mrs. Wiberg would stay home to be a full-time mother. "We decided early on that we wouldn't get accustomed to living on two salaries," said Mrs. Wiberg. Putting aside her income, they were able to live carefully yet comfortably off one teaching salary-a feat many people now might believe difficult.
The Wibergs agree that it took discipline but wasn't as hard as others might imagine. "We never really denied ourselves anything," said Mrs. Wiberg, noting that they've enjoyed nice homes and vacations.
"We simply lived conservative economic lives," explained Mr. Wiberg. "Being children of the Depression, and coming from frugal families, we were careful never to buy anything we couldn't pay for." Other than a home mortgage, the Wibergs have never had any debt.
And when it became apparent they wouldn't have children, the couple already was used to managing on one income. They continued to save and invest Mrs. Wiberg's salary until she retired in 1986. Her husband retired in 1992.
The result was a significant nest egg-and the Wibergs decided to give back for their good fortune. "We wanted to take care of our estate while we're alive," said Mrs. Wiberg, "instead of wondering what might happen to it after we're gone."
UT was the recent beneficiary of the Wibergs' $135,000 gift annuity, which will benefit the Judith Herb College of Education. The Curriculum Instruction Suite in the College has been named in their honor.
"This is an example of how good people remember the University that gave them a start in life, and then want to return a gift to that university and its current students," said Dean Thomas Switzer. "It's a pure act of giving."
"We never expected we'd end up with so much," said Mr. Wiberg. "Now it's kind of fun to give it away.