Planned Giving
Inspiring Lifelong Learning: Kurt '69 and Martha (Campbell) Adamson '69
Kurt and Marty Adamson in Kyoto, Japan
Though they studied on campus at Kalamazoo College "together" for two years, Kurt and Marty never met until their ocean voyage home from study abroad in Europe.
Today, Kurt and Marty Adamson have been married for more than 44 years.
Both of them studied in Germany. "Riding back on the ship gave us time to recover and reflect on our experiences," Marty says. She studied at the University of Bonn, taking regular classes inside the campus community. "It gave me insights into German culture."
While in Münster, Germany, Kurt says, "I had the chance to meet Dr. Gunther Spaltmann," whom he describes as "a true Renaissance man." An academic and artist, Spaltmann worked as a professor at K and served as head of the foreign study program in Münster.
After graduating from K, Kurt and Marty both earned master's degrees in library science and went on to work as librarians. Before retiring, Kurt taught at Southern Methodist University and served as Associate Director for Collection Development at the Underwood Law Library, and Marty was Director of Libraries for Collin College. "Working for colleges and universities ourselves," Marty says, "makes us aware of the importance of an endowment. A strong endowment allows the College to be flexible and respond to different economic situations."
"Giving to Kalamazoo College is our attempt to give back to an institution that has given so much to us," Kurt says.
When it came to making their gift to support The Campaign for Kalamazoo College, Kurt and Marty wanted to make a gift that would reach everyone. In each of their wills, they created a bequest to support library staff in their professional development at the College. "Since we're librarians, we want to support the library and its staff, and, in turn, the library supports all the students on campus," Marty says.
For Kurt and Marty, their experiences at K "fueled a lifelong interest in travel and learning," Marty says. Among other places, they have traveled to India, Kenya, Egypt, Australia, and recently Kyoto, Japan.
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