The College of Education and Human Development is proud to announce the Dr. Joseph P. DuCette Student Emergency Need Fund.

Joseph P. DuCette, 77, a member of Temple's faculty since 1968, recently made a 5-year pledge in the amount of $10,000 to establish the Dr. Joseph P. DuCette Student Emergency Need Fund. More significantly, Dr. DuCette documented a bequest for $500,000 that will permanently endow this fund upon his passing, formally cementing his legacy at Temple and ensuring support for CEHD students for generations to come.

The purpose of the Dr. Joseph P. DuCette Student Emergency Need Fund is to provide financial assistance to one or more students annually who are enrolled in the College of Education and Human Development who demonstrate financial hardship due to an emergency, accident, illness, or other unforeseen events. Awards can be used for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to tuition, fees, housing expenses, textbooks, food, childcare, transportation, utility bills, education-related technology and other financial needs arising from individual and/or special circumstances. Once the fund is endowed, it will be renamed to the "Dr. Joseph P. DuCette Student Support Fund," and will also provide scholarships to CEHD undergraduate or graduate students with financial need.

"I knew that I wanted to create some sort of a fund," said DuCette. While DuCette considered a scholarship fund, he ultimately landed on an emergency need fund instead. "I was more inclined to make it broader and to give some flexibility for the Dean to meet emergencies that come up and to fill in the gap," added DuCette.   

"We are most appreciative of this monumental gift from such a dedicated individual and educator. Dr. DuCette is an institutional treasure to the College of Education and Human Development, having served the university for over 50 years. His commitment to education and supporting students is unmatched," said Gregory Anderson, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development.

"I've come to know Dr. DuCette very well in my year with the college. In that time, I've come to know him as one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met," said Derek Coffman, Major Gifts Officer for the College of Education and Human Development.  "He is infinitely dedicated to and passionate about teaching - about helping his students succeed. It feels perfectly fitting that his legacy will live on, and he will continue to support CEHD students long after he's gone," added Coffman.  

"I'm really happy that I'm doing this," said DuCette. "I've been here for 53 years; I feel good that I am able to give back." 

"We are grateful for Joe's leadership in highlighting how alumni, faculty and friends can support the College of Education and Human Development's future, while having an immediate impact on its students," said Ed Stoner, Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations for the College of Education and Human Development.  "It allows the donor the opportunity to see the impact their gift has and share that experience with the recipient(s), while also establishing a legacy of support and an avenue for others to participate going forward." 

Anyone can contribute to DuCette's fund, and may do so online at giving.temple.edu/givetoedu.

To learn more about making an estate gift, and how to take advantage of the Temple University Legacy Gift Matching Challenge, contact us at [click-for-email].