By Michael Stehlik ’07
For Billy Garver ’11 and Caitie Leibman ’11, giving back to Doane wasn’t about waiting for the perfect moment — it was about realizing the moment had already arrived.
“Billy and I reached a moment where we thought, ‘Why not? And why not now?’” Leibman said. “Many people wait until big milestones to start giving. We had these activities in mind for our gifts because we’d like to be here to see what happens when seeds are planted. We want to be here to celebrate and amplify the amazing things happening at Doane.”
The couple recently established two new endowed funds that reflect their own Doane experiences and their hopes for the university’s future. The Forensics Endowed Support (FES) Fund and the Hands-on Analysis of Real Topics (HART) Fund are designed to ensure students can access high-impact learning opportunities, regardless of financial need.
“Forensics was a fabulous in-between space for me,” Leibman said. “It was academic and extracurricular. It connected me with other students across majors and interests, and it gave me a space to explore topics and pieces of literature that I cared about.”
She added, “The Fund is flexible on purpose. Some years, travel costs are more expensive if the team has to fly to nationals. Some years, new students may need more financial support in finding competition attire that fits. The team has become more knowledgeable about serving students with disabilities, bringing in assistive technology so that competitors can present their work in more ways.”
The HART Fund supports summer data research projects in partnership with nonprofit organizations and is named in honor of Associate Professor Peggy Hart, a longtime faculty member.
“Peggy has always put the student experience first,” Garver said. “This model started organically because it made sense: not for awards, not for future financing.”
“Peggy worked with students and nonprofits because it was a benefit to the students’ experience, something they were unlikely to get at any other institution,” he added. “Being able to financially support this endeavor was obvious, just as it was obvious to name it after its creator, who happens to be a mentor and a friend.”
Garver emphasized the importance of reducing financial barriers for students.
“College students have already invested in their long-term goals because they’re here, getting a degree,” he said. “Encouraging them to spend part of their summer doing research might be a big ask. We don’t want that to be a barrier.”
The couple hopes their gifts will encourage others to take that first step. “Ask yourself, ‘What would feel good?’” Leibman said. “Where do you want to be able to look back and say, ‘I was there! I was part of that!’”
“Money wants to keep flowing,” she added. “We received scholarships, our parents helped launch us into the world, and our faculty were committed to us. We’ve decided it’s our turn. When it’s your turn, do it. Whether it’s your time, talent, or treasure, keep it flowing.”
This article originally appeared in the Doane Magazine Fall 2025 edition.
