This Elmhurst University Grad To Give $500K: School

ELMHURST, IL – Maureen Lamberty Heakin, an Elmhurst University alumna and longtime donor, plans to make a gift of $500,000 to establish an international visiting artists series for the school’s jazz studies program, the university announced Tuesday.

A 1972 graduate, Heakin made the gift commitment to honor and build on the work of Doug Beach, a former director of the award-winning Elmhurst University Jazz Band and jazz studies program, according to a university news release. He retired in May after 43 years with the school.

"Maureen’s gift is the perfect way to carry forward Doug’s extraordinary legacy as a teacher, mentor, leader and musician," Troy VanAken, the university’s president, said in the release.

Heakin has been a fan of Beach’s for more than 20 years – ever since she and her husband, John, began attending Elmhurst’s annual June Jazz concert, then called Summer Extravaganza, according to the news release.

“(Doug) brought real-world experience to his lesson plans by creating opportunities for the students to interact with well-known professional artists, many of whom are his close friends as well as musical colleagues,” Heakin said in the release.

Heakin, who graduated from Elmhurst University with a degree in psychology, is retired after a successful career in marketing research, primarily at Swift & Co. and ConAgra Foods.