Tranbergs Leave Legacy of Gratitude to Houghton

One hallmark of the Houghton experience is the care and support students receive from classmates and professors. Janice (Kummer ’64) Tranberg profoundly experienced what many value most about the Houghton community. Weeks before entering her freshman year, Janice’s beloved father passed away. She came to Houghton as a young person with an extraordinary need for care and support, and the community surrounded her with the love she needed to succeed in spite of her grief.

As a member of the graduating class of 1964, Janice completed a dual major in sociology and Spanish with a minor in business administration. During her studies and beyond, Janice has been inspired not only by the love expressed to her as an individual but also by Houghton’s high academic quality and its ability to minister and prepare each student for life.

By contrast, Janice’s husband David didn’t enjoy the same collegiate experience. His alma mater did not provide the financial or the community support he needed as an adult student who was both a full-time employee and a young father.

As Janice and David compared their experiences, they became inspired to give back to Houghton in gratitude for the love and assistance Janice received as a student. They wanted to make a way for today’s students to receive the same love, support, and life-transforming education Janice did. In 2011 the Tranbergs created the Janice Arlene Russell Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT). The CRUT provides an ongoing income stream to Tranbergs, while the remainder of the trust will benefit Houghton’s mission in the future.

When the Tranbergs were once again faced with tragedy, Janice was reminded of the care she received at Houghton. In 2018 David and Janice’s son Bob passed away after a long battle with cancer. Bob’s wife had passed shortly before him, leaving behind no children. David and Janice decided they would like Houghton University to receive Bob’s share of their respective revocable living trusts. This gift will create the Janice Arlene Kummer Memorial Scholarship endowment fund. The fund will exist in perpetuity as a testament to Janice’s gratitude for Houghton and the Tranbergs’ desire to ensure future Houghton students have the same transformative experience Janice did.

The Tranbergs believed it was important for Houghton University to be informed of their estate plans and to document their intent for their legacy gifts. By documenting their planned gifts, the Tranbergs are confident their trust documents and the College’s endowment documents are compatible and aligned. They feel assurance the College can more confidently prepare for the future. This documentation not only allows Janice to be recognized for her generosity during her lifetime but, more important, enables David and Janice assurance of specific scholarship criteria. Recalling David’s own challenges in completing his college education, the Janice Arlene Kummer Memorial Scholarship will help provide student scholarships to working parents. The Tranbergs are leaving a legacy of gratitude to Houghton University and hope to inspire others to do the same.