UNT receives largest gift bequest, recognizes top donors

[Harry]

The University of North Texas announced today that it will receive the largest bequest in its history from the estate of Paul R. Voertman, the former owner of Denton’s iconic Voertman’s Bookstore and a local patron of art and music. Voertman died June 21, 2017, at the age of 88.

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[Harry]

Quote

Voertman and Richard Ardoin, his partner of 48 years, were extremely generous to UNT during their lifetimes. Ardoin, who died in 2002, made a significant estate gift to UNT that includes a charitable trust. With Voertman’s bequest, the couple’s combined giving to UNT totals more than $15 million, making them UNT’s top donors.

 

[SteaminWillieBeamin]

That is just awesome. Well done.. Well lived. I am always a little sad at what Voertman's store has turned into in the last 15 years.

[dmaxel]

Awesome to hear. I think it's important to know that this is the largest bequest, but not the largest overall gift. That belongs to this guy. Still way up there though.

[PlummMeanGreen]

I used to write checks for cash at Voertmans in 1972 & always bought my textbooks there.  Mr. Voertman was always a nice gentleman every time I observed him. 

[Christopher Walker]

There is a Celebration Of Life planned in honor of Paul Voertman for this Thursday, October 19 from 4-6 p.m. in the Murchison Performing Arts Center.

[tmjerm]

What a generous man with a lasting legacy.  I have GOT to remember to start buying things at Voertmans again (assuming the family is still involved).  I’ve so rarely gotten to that side of campus the last couple years.  

[UNTLifer]

18 minutes ago, tmjerm said:

What a generous man with a lasting legacy.  I have GOT to remember to start buying things at Voertmans again (assuming the family is still involved).  I’ve so rarely gotten to that side of campus the last couple years.  

They are not involved.  The store sucks so bad they should be forced to remove the name.

[tmjerm]

4 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

They are not involved.  The store sucks so bad they should be forced to remove the name.

Yeah but I’d imagine that’s a result of Amazon/Barnes & Noble/etc.  Hard to survive when you’re a mom and Pop bookstore.  Last time I was in there the inventory was sparse and mostly made up of spiral journals and bags of peanut m&m’s.  Would be nice to see it become relevant again...it’d be nice to have a staple store (instead of literally it being a “staple” store like it is right now) down there.   

Edited October 18, 2017 by tmjerm

[UNTLifer]

Just now, tmjerm said:

Yeah but I’d imagine that’s a result of Amazon/Barnes & Noble/etc.  Hard to survive when you’re a mom and Pop bookstore.  Last time I was in there the inventory was sparse and mostly made up of spiral journals and bags of peanut m&m’s.  Would be nice to see it become relevant again...it’d be nice to have a staple store (instead of literally it being a “staple” store like it is right now) down there.   

I think it is more a result of a big corporation taking it over and not caring.  They ran the place in the ground and that is too bad.

[tmjerm]

10 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

I think it is more a result of a big corporation taking it over and not caring.  They ran the place in the ground and that is too bad.

Didn’t realize that was the ownership situation.  Bummer. 

[GrandGreen]

9 hours ago, Harry said:

 

The University of North Texas announced today that it will receive the largest bequest in its history from the estate of Paul R. Voertman, the former owner of Denton’s iconic Voertman’s Bookstore and a local patron of art and music. Voertman died June 21, 2017, at the age of 88.

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Was this not announced years ago?  Anyway, great gift from Mr. Voertman.  

[UNTLifer]

Just now, tmjerm said:

Didn’t realize that was the ownership situation.  Bummer. 

I agree.  Voertman's was a unique, awesome store.  It os such a shame what has happened.

[golfingomez]

Wow... that is a ton of money... sad to hear about the passing, but i definitely spent a lot of time/money in Voertman's back in college.

 

RIP sir, and travel well. 

[Cr1028]

Good people. I didn't know ownership had changed hands. Any idea when that happened?

[meaniegreenie]

17 hours ago, PlummMeanGreen said:

I used to write checks for cash at Voertmans in 1972 & always bought my textbooks there.  Mr. Voertman was always a nice gentleman every time I observed him. 

Yeah, I gave plenty of money ($0.25 at at time) to Voertmans back in the 80s doing the same.