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I see my dyslexia as a gift; it has instilled in me some key components of life, like work ethic, self-determination, and an ability to adapt to my surroundings.
-Samaritan Scholar

Wochholz Endowment for Persons with Disabilities

Harold F. and Phyllis N. Wochholz established this endowment to provide the MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) with a source of funding to market MSU as a university with an exceptional and sustained record of success in meeting the needs of persons with disabilities. Harold, a 1958 graduate of the College of Engineering, and RCPD 2007 Outstanding Alumnus, identifies MSU's accessible facilities as instrumental to the attainment of his engineering degrees and to his success as an engineer and leader within a major aerospace corporation. Employing a passion to involve today's students with disabilities in a similarly life changing experience, Harold and Phyllis are defining an exciting future with increased awareness and opportunity, in turn, enhancing the MSU advantage for students with disabilities.

Together with the College of Engineering, the RCPD will develop a continuous promotional program that will encourage future students with a disability to consider MSU as their choice for higher education.

Hal and Phyllis Wochholz join the RCPD in a visit to the Chandler Unified School District in Arizona, to speak on opportunities for students with disabilities.

(Hal and Phyllis Wochholz join the RCPD in a visit to the Chandler Unified School District in Arizona, to speak on opportunities for students with disabilities.)

"I think back to the summer of 1955 when I could just barely get around on crutches, didn't have a formal education and needed a safe/nice place for my family, and MSU was there for us!"
-Hal Wochholz

"We sincerely hope that others will join us in supporting RCPD and establishing MSU as a university that extends excellence to human needs as well as education."
-Hal & Phyllis Wochholz 

Make a gift to the Wochholz Endowment for Persons with Disabilities

This donor-supported program provides awareness and expanded opportunity for persons with disabilities. You can help support this initiative or find out more about other RCPD programs and giving opportunities by visiting the Financial Contributions page.

Wochholz Endowment in Action

  • A visit from the Wochholz in July 2009 brought reminders of the impact that quality education and a dedication to assisting others can have, especially for determined individuals like Hal.
  • The RCPD's presence at Michigan's first Braille-A-Thon promoted MSU's ability to advance achievement to potential students.
  • RCPD Director Michael Hudson's recent membership in the East Lansing Kiwanis club conveys the message that children with disabilities can achieve educational success.  The Wochholz seek to provide continuous outreach opportunities to K-12 community educators and students with disabilities.
  • Known for creating assistive technology for a variety of purposes, assistance from this endowment allowed MSU to develop equipment for a sport called beep baseball.
  • In 2007, as a result of his dedication and assistance to the RCPD, Hal Wochholz was named Outstanding Alumni at the annual award ceremony.
  • A College of Engineering graduate, the Wochholz are also contributors to the annual Engineering Design Day.
  • As a token of gratitude for his success as an alumnus of the College of Engineering, Hal also established a scholarship for students with disabilities within their department.


RCPD at MSU © 2009
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