RCW: Donor Spotlight 4.30
Bruce and Jeanie Bundy of Lawrence, Kansas, have been members of the Williams Education Fund for the past 11 years, but they have paved the way for a family of Kansas Jayhawks.
Jeanie received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1964, while Bruce received his Master of Business Administration in 1966. Their two sons, Brad Guess and Trent Guess, and one daughter, Amy (Bundy) Lake, all graduated from the University of Kansas as well. Brad received a master’s degree in architecture and his wife, Ellen, received a master’s degree in social work. Trent received his bachelor’s and doctorate degree in mechanical engineering, while his wife, Ti, received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Amy received her degree in occupational therapy from KU Medical Center. Jeanie’s sister, Jana Stukesbary, also attended KU, and her husband, Duane, received his bachelor’s degree in music education.
While they were helping support their own children through college, the Bundys began their membership in the Williams Education Fund by only donating small amounts. Though once their children had graduated, Bruce explained why their annual contribution changed.
“After all of our children had finished their degrees at KU, we started increasing our financial support to help the student-athletes for all the fantastic sporting events we have attended through the years,” Bruce said.
Assisting in providing a quality education for the student-athletes has always been a key factor to the Bundys’ continued support.
“It’s an additional benefit that we then have the ability to watch each of the student-athletes compete in the various sports they love,” Bruce added.
What exemplified the support the Bundys provide, however, is that they do not limit themselves to solely Kansas Athletics. Along with their support for the athletic department, they are also fond of the cultural opportunities that The University of Kansas provides.
“We belong to both the Friends of the Lied (Center) and also the Friends of the Spencer Museum, which have both allowed us to meet and make many life-long friends,” Bruce acknowledged.
Being a part of many different events and traditions around the University, the Bundys still agree that “Waving the Wheat” and singing the “Alma Mater” are their favorite to participate in.
“We enjoyed watching the 1988 and 2008 Basketball National Championships on television, and then being able to attend the victory parades that were held in Lawrence,” Bruce said in regards to their most-memorable experiences with Kansas Athletics.
The Bundys have also seen some significant Kansas Athletics history in person as well.
“Traveling to Florida in 2008 to watch KU football win the Orange Bowl, making the trip to Omaha, Nebraska, in 2015 to watch KU volleyball play in the Final Four and also being able to watch the KU women’s track & field program win its first NCAA Outdoor National Championship in 2013,” Bruce said.
In terms of a favorite Jayhawk student-athlete, Bruce mentioned one of the biggest.
“One is Wilt Chamberlain because when I was in high school I was able to come to KU to watch him play many games,” Bruce said.
But while Bruce enjoyed watching Wilt Chamberlain on the court, both he and Jeanie agree that Andrea Geubelle, a multiple-time individual National Champion long and triple jumper for the Jayhawks, is their all-time favorite. Geubelle, who not only was an individual champion, also helped the women’s program win the 2013 NCAA National Track & Field Championship, has also competed on the world’s largest stage when she qualified to represent Team USA at the 2016 Olympics, held in Rio.
“Her dedication to raising awareness for Kansas Athletics, post-collegiately, has made her a true ambassador for not only the athletics department, the track &field program, and the sport itself, but also the University of Kansas as a whole,” said Bruce
The final question that Bruce and Jeanie were asked to answer required them to select their Kansas basketball “Dream Team”, which they would have the opportunity to coach.
“For our ‘Dream Team,’ we would choose Wilt (Chamberlain), Danny Manning, Kirk Hinrich, Frank Mason III and Devonte’ Graham,” said Bruce.
“But if Bruce had the opportunity to coach,” Jeanie added. “He would like to coach this year’s 2017-18 team because it consists of many great guards, which is the position he played during his own high school playing days.”
Rock Chalk, Bruce and Jeanie, and thank you for being featured in this edition of Rock Chalk Weekly’s Donor Spotlight!
For more information on the Williams Education Fund, including tickets, parking, premium seating, facility projects and special events, visit WilliamsFund.com.
