10.18.23

Bob Borlase’s $1 million estate gift to WSU will serve the areas of greatest need

Joseph (Bob) Borlase Jr. passed away in June 2022, but his generosity to his alma mater didn’t end then. Over the last 18 months, Borlase’s estate has disbursed more than $1 million in donations from a planned gift he made to Wichita State prior to his death, which he desired to be left unrestricted to serve the university’s greatest needs.

Borlase grew up in Wichita, attended East High School and graduated from Wichita State in 1959. While in college, he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and he remained connected to the organization long after graduation. Though he moved to Tustin, California, after graduating, he was a loyal supporter of WSU all his life and gave generously to a number of campaigns at the university.

“Bob’s whole perspective was that he wanted to support WSU in the best way possible,” said Alyssa Scott, director of development at the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. “He trusted university leadership to make that decision in the best interest of the university and our students. It was an incredibly selfless gift to leave behind.”  

Unrestricted gifts can be used to help advance university initiatives and priorities in many ways, whether it’s closing the gap on need-based aid, growing the talent pipeline for industry, or becoming an economic driver in our city and state.