Foundation & Development
Hugo & Maurine Magliocco
Maurine Magliocco and Hugo Magliocco have each crafted their own legacy to the institution they called home for more than 30 years. Similar yet separate disciplines and professional experiences impressed them in distinct ways, and both Hugo and Maurine, now retired, have created individual tributes that reflect upon their respective careers and support the departments for which they taught.
Maurine came in 1967, 鈥渓oved Western from the first moment and always knew I would stay; it was a perfect fit for me.聽 Over the years it provided me with many opportunities for personal and professional growth in a variety of ways.鈥� She was a professor of English and the first director of Western鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Center. Hugo arrived at Western in 1963, and contrary to his intentions, it evolved into his career commitment. As Western鈥檚 first trombone instructor in the Department of Music, he taught for 36 years before retiring in 2000.
A trombonist for more than 50 years and a teacher for more than 40, Hugo performed throughout the United States and Europe. His involvement with the International Trombone Association, as president and literature review editor for its journal, inspired an idea that became Hugo鈥檚 gift to Western. In December of 1999, he endowed the Hugo Magliocco Trombone Scholarship with a gift of $25,000 (with an additional $35,000 planned gift on file to benefit the scholarship). The scholarship supports a qualified student in music education or music performance with trombone as the major instrument, and is directed toward an international, African-American, or Hispanic-American student.
鈥淢y intent was to help students and the department. In my work, I met people from all over the world and really grew from those associations. I thought this scholarship might help the department鈥檚 diversity efforts while easing the financial burden of a student at the same time, supporting Western鈥檚 commitments to accessibility and diversity.鈥�
Maurine taught in Western鈥檚 Department of English for 37 years, was instrumental in establishing Western鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Center in 1986, and served as the chapter president of the University Professionals of Illinois for nine years.
鈥淲estern鈥檚 main strength is its commitment to students and the individual attention given them,鈥� says Maurine. 鈥淓veryone at Western is supportive of the institutional mission and the success of students. Western is defined by shared values, shared commitment, and a real sense of community.鈥�
In contemplating a meaningful contribution upon her retirement, Maurine reflected: 鈥淚 should 鈥榩ay back鈥� the community in some way, and help the institution do what it does best by filling a gap I felt as a faculty member.鈥�
The Maurine Magliocco Lecture Series for the Department of English was established in October 2006. The $30,000 endowment commitment will support an annual lecture in literature, film, theory, or the state of the discipline. In describing her purpose, she said: 鈥淚 really want to help faculty in their professional work. Because faculty care so much and are so involved with students, it is sometimes hard to find the time to do research and connect to the larger discipline. I am hopeful that the lectureship will strengthen that connection and energize faculty.鈥�
Hugo also speaks of his own sense of connection and how it influenced his actions. 鈥淚 have very strong ties to Western and to Macomb,鈥� he says. 鈥淢aurine and I met at Western, were married, and our son was born there. Those factors coupled with my connections to the department and to former students gave me a sense of wanting to help in some way.鈥�
Both Hugo and Maurine have expressed their sense of community and connection to Western through their generous gifts. Each has thought carefully about their gift, and how to craft it so as to have the greatest impact on their individual departments while honoring their individual values.
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