Jim & Nancy Lapp are True University of Toledo Fans
9/18/2014 1:33:00 PM | Athletics
This is 10th in a series of articles highlighting contributors to the renovation of the University of Toledo's Larimer Athletic Complex.
TOLEDO, OH – If one were to look up the phrase University of Toledo Fan in the dictionary, one would see a picture of Jim and Nancy Lapp. The Lapps have been tremendous supporters of UT in both athletics and academics.
"The University of Toledo is very important to Nancy and me in a lot of different ways," Jim Lapp said. "We love being a part of this great institution, and we're happy to give back, whether it be to athletics or academics."
Both Nancy and Jim are retired UT employees and their financial support directed to the University of Toledo has been significant. In addition, they have made provisions in their trust to ensure that their giving to the University of Toledo will continue into the future.
For Athletics, the Lapps have been Rocket Fund contributors (Executive Division) and Stadium Club members since 2008. Most recently, they participated in the "A University Rising" campaign, making a five-year pledge for the Larimer Athletic Complex renovation. The couple also made a three-year pledge to be a Pillar Donor in the William and Carol Koester Alumni Pavilion outside the Glass Bowl in 2012. Nancy and Jim also contributed to the Savage Arena Renovation in 2008, making a five-year pledge. And finally, in 2009, they made a second 10-year pledge towards the Presidents Club.
Additionally, Nancy took part in a five-year pledge to the Women & Philanthropy at the University of Toledo Endowment Fund. After establishing this fund, the group made Nancy its first lifetime member.
On the academic side, Nancy and Jim established the "James W. and Nancy A. Lapp Scholarship" in the College of Business Administration in 2005. Two years later, they endowed the scholarship and have since gifted a generous amount specifically to the endowment fund.
Nancy and Jim also donated two plaques and a significant dollar amount to the UT Veterans' Memorial Plaza when it was constructed in 2009. Their gifts were to honor the memory of Jim's father and uncle, as well as Nancy's uncle, all of whom served in World War II.
Nancy, who earned two degrees from UT, retired from the University in May of 2007 as the coordinator, undergraduate advising/academic services and honors specialist for the College of Business Administration. She was part of a four-member advising team, providing academic advising, career advising and student services for undergraduate business students. Nancy also provided advising program planning and administration, recruitment and retention. She served as the Study Abroad Coodinator for the College of Business, which included program marketing, student recruitment, dissemination of information on global study opportunities and determination of course equivalencies for course completed outside the United States.
Nancy also worked at UT as the coordinator, undergraduate advising/director, special academic programs for the College of Business Administration (Nov. 1996-Dec. 2000), coordinator, undergraduate advising for the College of Business Administration (July 1991-Nov. 1996), adjunct instructor for the College of Business Administration (April 1994-Dec. 1994), undergraduate advisor for the College of Business Administration (July 1983-June 1991), adjunct instructor for Department of Management (Jan. 1985-March 1985) and international student advisor for international student programs (Jan. 1979-July 1983).
Nancy received numerous awards over the years at UT, including the National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Advisor of the Year in 2005, the UT Outstanding Advisor Award in 2003, the UT Outstanding Honors Advisor of the Year in 2005 and the Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005, to name a few. She was also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education and the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, as well as a honorary member of the Golden Key National Honour Society.
Following her retirement, Nancy immersed herself in community service and is involved as a life member of the UT Alumni and Retirees Associations, while also being a member of the UT President's Club and the the Junior League of Toledo, Inc., among others.
Nancy has also served as an honorary coach for the UT women's basketball team in 2010 and was awarded with the National Philanthropy Day Outstanding Community Volunteer Award for Volunteerism and Financial Support of the University of Toledo in 2013.
Jim, who also holds two degrees from UT, retired from the University in December of 2005 as the assistant director, division of interdisciplinary and special programs. He had administrative responsibilities, providing academic advising primarily for student-athletes, adult learners, international students and other degree program students.
Jim also worked at UT as the assistant director, division on interdisciplinary studies (July 1998-Aug. 1999), health industry program coordinator, contract education (Sept. 1995-July 1998), assistant director, evening and special services (June 1978-Sept. 1995) and adult advisor, evening sessions (June 1975-June 1978) over his three decades at the Bancroft, Scott Park and SeaGate campuses.
Upon retiring from the University of Toledo, Jim has dedicated a majority of his time to community service and is involved as a member of the UT Alumni Association, UT President's Club, UT Retirees Association (UTRA), UT Community Charitable Campaign (UTC3) and Ohio Council of Higher Education Retirees, among others. UTRA was named the Alumni Association Affiliate of the Year in both 2012 and 2014, while Jim served as UTRA's Vice President and President. He was also a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society in Business and the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.
Nancy and Jim Lapp have dedicated and pledged a huge portion of their lives to the University of Toledo and they are the epitome of the expression "UT fan." Just check the dictionary.
For more information on how to help support this project, please contact senior associate athletic director Dave Nottke (419-530-2510/david.nottke@utoledo.edu).
Previous articles on Larimer Athletic Complex Donors
Sullivans' Gift for the Renovation of Larimer is the Latest in a Long Line of UT Contributions - June 19, 2014 New Rocket Academic Center to be Named in Honor or Marcia and Roy Armes - June 24, 2014 Ron Vail: A Toledo Man Gives Back to His Alma Mater - July 2, 2014Al Baker Hopes Larimer Renovation Will Spur Future Rockets to Greatness - July 18, 2014
The McQuades Continue to Help Build UT's Future - July 29, 2014
Former Rocket Al Thigpen Inspires Future Leaders - August 8, 2014 Colin Westrich Still Paves the Way for the Rockets - August 12, 2014Larimer's Athletic Training Room Named in Memory of Dave Huffstetler - August 19, 2014
Alfagreen Supreme Continues to Seed the Growth at UT - September 3, 2014
