She loved to read, play golf and tend to her beautiful garden.
But for UM-Dearborn faculty, staff, students and alumni, Mary Kochoff is best known for her generosity.
Mary and her husband of 67 years, Arthur, have long been generous benefactors to the University. Whether that includes funding scholarships or campus improvements, the Kochoff name is engrained at UM-Dearborn. Most notably, their name is enshrined at the entranceway of UM-Dearborn’s hub for campus events – Kochoff Hall.
And generosity is how the campus community will remember Mary, who died Jan. 19. She was 95.
“Mary Kochoff put students at the center of her involvement with the University of Michigan-Dearborn,” said Stanley Henderson, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life. “Along with her husband, Arthur, she contributed to students’ success by easing their financial burdens. Kochoff scholarships have allowed students the freedom to excel and make a difference in our community of higher education.”
UM-Dearborn student Quinn Osgood can attest to that. Osgood is studying engineering at UM-Dearborn because of a scholarship funded by the Kochoff family.
“Though I never got the chance to meet the Kochoffs, their generous donations to the University for student scholarships has really meant the world to me,” he said. “It has given me the opportunity to pursue a degree in engineering and it is the main reason I chose to attend the University of Michigan-Dearborn.”
The campus community will continue to benefit from Mary’s generosity and desire to keep the University experience accessible for years to come.
“Mrs. Kochoff exemplified the spirit of contribution and making a difference that defines our university community,” Henderson said. “Her impact will continue to be felt as the students she supported give back to UM-Dearborn.”
