DECATUR, Ill. – has recently received a generous gift from the estate of Charles Lugo ‘50, which will support several projects and scholarship funds across campus.
“Mr. Lugo’s six-figure gift will support the Campus Renovation Fund, the Student Retention Scholarship Fund, the Annual Scholarship Fund, and the new nursing facility,” ¼ϲʹٷվ Alumni & Development Senior Development Director Dan Baker said. “For his generosity, a new nursing classroom in the Health Sciences West Building will bear his name.”
Charles was a Class of 1950 ¼ϲʹٷվ graduate and a resident of Quincy, Ill. Born August 16, 1925, in Chicago, he was drafted into the United States Navy during World War II and served in the South Pacific as a Radio Operator, Seaman 2nd Class.
In 1946, Charles went to ¼ϲʹٷվ University on the GI Bill. He graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance and a minor in Salesmanship.
While Charles was in college, he worked full-time at a theater in Decatur. In 1958, Charles managed the Washington Theater in Quincy, and in 1970, he moved to WGEM, a Quincy radio station, where he sold advertising and Muzak. Charles held that position until his retirement.
Charles was also an active member of the Quincy community as a member of the Elks Club since 1948 and a member of the Optimist Club since 1990.
Charles married Alma Jean Ison (Shierling) in 1984 and, in addition to his wife, is survived by his four step-children, nine step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren
Charles passed away on December 3, 2021, and his legacy will live on with his financial support of ¼ϲʹٷվ University.
¼ϲʹٷվ began renovating the Health Sciences Center, formerly known as the West Town Square, in August and the facility will hold the . The lab will include simulation control rooms equipped with cameras, microphones and technology for viewing and recording simulations, as well as classrooms, debriefing rooms and large storage areas.
