The Henry and Emma Rogers Society
The Purpose
The Henry and Emma Rogers Society was founded in the summer of 1987 to express the University’s gratitude to all those who have so generously made an estate or deferred gift commitment to Northwestern. Today it has more than 1,800 members.
Who were Henry and Emma Rogers?
Henry Wade Rogers (1853–1926), 10th president of Northwestern
Rogers was asked to become President of Northwestern University in the fall of 1890, at the age of 37, after an extensive nationwide search. The changes that Rogers instituted altered Northwestern University significantly and propelled it into a dynamic and progressive institution. By 1891, all of the individual colleges and schools were gathered under the Northwestern University banner. In all of his efforts he insisted that Northwestern should match or exceed the standards of the more prestigious universities of that century. His leadership led to a dramatic increase in enrollment, and recognition of the school as one of the top universities in the country. He is considered one of the founders of the coalition that would become known as the Big Ten. Also notable is that during his presidency (1890-1900), Northwestern had an openly expressed general policy of “making no distinction on account of sex or color.” After his presidency at Northwestern, he became the Dean of the Law School at Yale University and was appointed Judge of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (2nd district) by President Woodrow Wilson.
Emma Winner Rogers (1855-1922)
When her husband became President of Northwestern, Emma Rogers launched and participated in various ventures in the region which continue to have a positive impact on the greater community. She helped to found the University Guild, which was meant to bridge the “town and gown” gap that traditionally existed between Northwestern and the residents of Evanston. She was involved with leading civic organizations in Chicago. She was also instrumental in founding the Northwestern University Settlement Association in 1891, which offered programs and social services in a mostly immigrant community on Chicago’s near west side. She served as President of its Board and even resided at the Settlement for a short time. Of her work on the Settlement Association, it was written that she was “indefatigable in her efforts...and her energy and accomplishments were staggering.” (Both the Guild and the Settlement are still active today.) After her husband’s presidency at Northwestern, Emma continued her dedicated work for social reform and went on to serve as Treasurer of the National Women’s Suffrage Association.
General Information on the Society
It was appropriate that the Society be named in honor of President Rogers, who was instrumental in transforming a small college into a major university. Together with his wife, Emma, the Society honors a couple that stood for diversity and inclusiveness in an era when the right to an equal education was not the accepted norm. They forged a path for the University that has impacted many generations of students. Their legacy continues to touch thousands.
Like Henry Wade Rogers, the members of the Society have a vision of the University’s future greatness and have decided to invest in that future. The Society is open to all who provide support for Northwestern in their estate plans through wills, trusts, life income gifts, retirement plans, and other vehicles which leave a legacy for future generations of students, faculty, and programs.
From time to time, Northwestern will hold special events for the members of the Rogers Society. When significant financial, estate, and tax issues might impact donors, members will receive information about these newsworthy items.
Each member of the Society is leaving a potential legacy that could benefit many generations of future students of Northwestern.
Adding Emma in 2007
Originally the Society contained the name of Henry alone. In 2007 Northwestern University became the first major U.S. university to incorporate a couple’s name in the planned giving society title.
A 2007 Twentieth Anniversary commemorative lapel pin celebrates the inclusion of Emma’s name into that of the Society. The pin’s design pays tribute to an historical triangular pin (circa early 20th century) preserved in the archives in the Northwestern Library.
Contact Northwestern's Office of Gift Planning to learn more about the Henry and Emma Rogers Society.
