When Rick Batchelor decided to have an estate sale, he also decided that he wanted to donate $56,000 of the proceeds to the Wichita State University Foundation — continuing his longtime support of the university.

 

Batchelor, who graduated in 1966 from WSU with a Master of Arts in art education, established the Richard A. Batchelor Endowment for Art Acquisition in honor of his parents, Arthur and Florence Batchelor. The endowment, in addition to a planned gift, will benefit the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art by purchasing works of art and funding the associated costs of displaying them.

 

A portion of the latest cash gift also was earmarked to purchase four additional five-piece place settings of Towle Silversmith’s King Richard sterling silver flatware for the WSU president’s home to accompany the other eight he had given several years ago. In addition, Batchelor has donated several pieces of his own collection to the WSU president’s home, the Ulrich Museum and the anthropology department including Flow Blue china, religious objects and textiles.

 

“Rick is truly an amazing man who loves Wichita State University,” said Shirley Beggs, wife of President Don Beggs. “In addition, he is a great personal friend to me and I appreciate him so much. His personal treasures enhance the beauty of the president’s home and are enjoyed by everyone who visits the home.”

 

Batchelor, who lives in Blue Rapids, Kan., taught art in public schools for more than 30 years, spending a majority of his teaching career at Wichita’s Mead and Curtis Junior High schools.

 

He is a charter member of the WSU Foundation’s Society of 1895 and has supported the Marcus Welcome Center in addition to other entities of WSU.