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Lowry siblings make gifts to new law building in memory of their father, Gordon Lowry

Gordon and Margaret Lowry

(pictured above: Gordon and Margaret Lowry)

From Washburn Law Alumni Newsletter - August 2018

Washburn University was a big part of the life and career of Gordon Lowry, ba ’41, jd ’46, and he knew he wanted it to be a part of his legacy. His five children made sure it was with gifts in his memory to the School of Law building campaign.

Lowry and his wife, Margaret, raised their family in Valley Falls, Kansas, where Gordon owned a law practice for nearly 50 years. Four of their children attended Washburn, and three of them married Washburn students. After Gordon passed away in 2016 at 98, the five children each made $5,000 gifts to Ideal Place: The Building Campaign for Washburn University School of Law.

The children are Kem Lowry, ba ’64, Susan Lowry, bsw ’69, Jim Lowry, ba ’70, Stuart Lowry, jd ’85, and Lynne Lowry, a University of Kansas graduate.

“We talked with Dad about what his wishes were with respect to gifts,” Stuart said. “One entity he definitely wanted to recognize was Washburn Law School because of the important role the school played in his life and all or our lives.”

Gordon took classes in Boswell Hall. Later, he saw the construction of the current building and recently, the campaign to raise money for a new building.

“He knew this is a desire of the administration and the next evolution in training Kansas lawyers,” Stuart said. “If the administration was supportive of the idea, I think he wanted to do what he could to support that.”

Gordon’s fondness of Washburn Law was a major reason Stuart followed his father’s example.

“Dad was a real influence in my decision to go to Washburn Law School,” Stuart sad. “Obviously, he had a lot of affection and affinity for the school, and after visiting there myself, I saw why.”

The siblings are spread throughout the United States and Canada. They all readily agreed the $25,000 gift to the building was a great tribute to their father and his love of practicing law.

“The needs of students change over time, and there are opportunities for improvement to the overall product the school is able to deliver,” Stuart said. “Physical facilities are a part of that. I see this as an investment in the school and future lawyers in the state of Kansas.”

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