Manifesting Magis With an Estate Gift

After nearly 55 years, Frances Lewis LHC (Loretto Heights College) ’67 still remembers the names of her professors, many of whom were Sisters of Loretto. She tears up while recalling their numerous “acts of love” for herself and her classmates.

“And now, with joy,” Frances says, “I take my whole heart and passion and my love of giving forward to Regis.”

A professor of nursing at the University of Washington in Seattle, Frances has established two scholarships at Regis and made a significant gift in her will to the University, declaring that she would give more if she could. Her generosity is an example of one of Regis’ key values: magis, meaning “more” in Latin.

Frances chose to attend Loretto Heights, an independent women’s Jesuit college, for its rigorous BSN program, as well as its “outstanding reputation for educating the whole woman,” she explains. “Who I am today as a scholar, a nurse, and a scientist is because I went to the Heights.”

Loretto Heights closed its doors in 1988, but three of its academic programs moved to Regis, providing the foundation for the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions. According to Frances, the college’s values—such as a commitment to transformative education—live on at Regis.

The University, Frances says, is “training the next generation of young people who will and continue to affect what it is to live on this earth as a child of God.”

The Future Is in Your Hands

Frances’ commitment to supporting Regis University stems from her life-changing experience here over 50 years ago. She recognizes the many ways Regis enlightened, grounded, and prepared her for life. You can enrich the lives of our students now and in the future by contacting Jacques Swanepoel at 303.964.5367 or jswanepoel@regis.edu to learn more.