MONROE, La., (KNOE 8 News) - Long-time philanthropist Kitty DeGree has passed away at the age of 90 at her home.
In her 70-odd years as a resident of Monroe, Mrs. DeGree made a fortune in real estate, then gave a great deal of it back to her community.
To honor and remember philanthropist Kitty DeGree, a memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 2, in the Saint Francis Medical Center Auditorium, located in the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing on the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus. The community is invited to attend.
"The university community is deeply saddened by the passing of Kitty DeGree. Kitty was a humanitarian of remarkable character and profound generosity," he said. "Over her lifetime, Kitty was the largest individual donor to ULM. Her generosity benefited both faculty and students through substantial gifts that have established scholarships, endowed professorships, and an endowed chair. Her vision and generosity will forever benefit future ULM generations."
The memorial service is open to the community. For more information, contact Anne Lockhart, director of Development at 318-342-5426, or lockhart@ulm.edu
ULM President Dr. Nick J. Bruno, in commenting on Mrs. Degree's death said, "The university community is deeply saddened by the passing of Kitty DeGree. Kitty was a humanitarian of remarkable character and profound generosity," he said. "Over her lifetime, Kitty was the largest individual donor to ULM. Her generosity benefited both faculty and students through substantial gifts that have established scholarships, endowed professorships, and an endowed chair. Her vision and generosity will forever benefit future ULM generations."
Mrs. DeGree's capital gifts include: the Kitty DeGree Computer Center, which is the key student resource area of the Clarke M. Williams Student Success Center; the Kitty DeGree Pharmacy Student Resource Center/Library; and the Kitty DeGree Speech and Hearing Center.
When the president's former home—now known as University House—was moved to allow the building of the new library, she funded its refurbishment, which has accommodated dignitaries from all over the world.
Mrs. DeGree also provided funding for the focal part of the University Library and Conference Center, including the entry tower, which houses a massive clock and bells whose majestic chimes are heard campus-wide. The Kitty DeGree Bell Tower is now an icon and one of the official university logos.
In May 1989, the university conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree to Mrs. DeGree, and in 2009 she was named a Trustee Emeritus member of the ULM Foundation Board. She also received the inaugural Hall of Distinction Award in 2004, which is the university's most prestigious award recognizing those who have honored ULM through a lifetime of distinction and exemplary service, and in support for, or promotion of the university.
Also befitting her exceptional generosity, the ULM Foundation Board of Trustees voted to name the university's major gifts recognition society, the Kitty DeGree Bell Tower Society. Membership in the society is based upon the donor's lifetime giving to the university and begins at the $50,000 level.
After an additional seven-figure gift to the university, the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors approved the naming of the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing in June.
Kitty DeGree, photo courtesy ULM
