An elderly Brisbane couple who have devoted their lives to working in developing countries and now live across the road from Queensland University of Technology have pledged almost $1 million to the university and its students to help carry on their good work.
Carl Leonard, 86, and Mary Leonard, 99, were thanked at a QUT function where Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake announced the new Mary and Carl Leonard International Relations Award.
The annual award of $10,000 will enable QUT students to travel overseas to do community work and has been funded by initial donations of $275,000 by the American couple. They have also pledged to bequeath their estate to the university in their wills.
"All of our friends come talk about their grandchildren but we don't have grandchildren - now we have the QUT children," Mary said. "I think learning would be the theme of our life and we just want to help these young people learn."
She said they made their donations after picking up a flyer about giving to the university, while attending a public lecture at Gardens Point campus.
QUT Alumni and Development director Simone Garske said the couple had watched "the comings and goings" of students since retiring to Brisbane 10 years ago and renting an Alice Street apartment next to QUT.
"Carl was a civil engineer who worked on projects in many developing countries and Mary was a teacher who taught English wherever they went," Ms Garske said.
"They have spent almost 50 years living and working in developing countries and wanted their donation to QUT to be used to help educate students interested in international relations and world peace.
"We have established the Mary and Carl Leonard Endowment Fund to finance an annual scholarship for students who show leadership qualities to enable them to study or work overseas.
"Ultimately, the Leonards' gift will benefit the global community as well as QUT's students."
The Leonards, who have never owned a house, lived on a succession of beloved boats during their travels and international work, with the occasional return home to the United States and their motor home.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake said the Leonards' gift would help shape the next generation of leaders who would have a positive impact on the world.
"The university is grateful for Carl and Mary Leonard's generous and kind gift that will be embraced by our students, whose lives will be changed and inspired by the passion they both share for improved international relations and world peace," he said.
To hear an interview with the Leonards and Professor Peter Coaldrake, visit this link:
http://www.marketingcomm.qut.edu.au/audio/leonards-philanthropy-08-03-10.mp3
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, 07 3138 2130 or ml.mcmahon@qut.edu.au
** Media note - the interview at the link above can be downloaded as an mp3 file. Please note that the interview with the Leonards is followed by an interview with Professor Coaldrake on philanthropy from the 6:00 minute mark.
