A family's legacy
Isobel Michael and her brothers honoured their parents by creating the Bob Michael Gold Scholarship using a gift from their mother’s Will, setting in motion a life-changing opportunity for three future Bath students.
A gift in your Will, no matter how large or small, can have a huge impact – whether that’s through creating life-changing scholarships or by funding research that addresses global challenges.
Isobel Michael and her brothers used a deed of variation on their mother’s Will to set up the Bob Michael Gold Scholarship, named after their father, an early Bath graduate, as a way of remembering and honouring their parents.
“We were looking at ways of remembering Mum and Dad, and we learned we could dedicate a scholarship; it just seemed a really great opportunity,” says Isobel.
The University of Bath runs in the Michael family. Bob was one of our first graduates with an engineering degree in 1966, and Isobel and her younger brother are also alumni. Isobel cites the support her father received from an apprenticeship as the very reason he could study.
“Giving in this way means there’s something in Dad’s name creating opportunities for other people, like he had,” says Isobel.
“The Gold Scholarship will help people who might not have considered university or might struggle without additional support to access everything university life offers.”
The first Bob Michael Gold Scholar began their studies in September 2024, with two more scholars beginning each consecutive year.
Thank you
A big thank you to the six individuals who pledged a gift to the University of Bath in their Will this past year. We now have 83 members in our 1966 Society, which recognises those who pledge a legacy to Bath.
The impact of a legacy gift will be felt throughout the University and beyond – from the students and researchers to the local and global community.
Physics alumnus Floyd Lazare kindly pledged an unrestricted gift: “I chose to leave an unrestricted gift because I feel it is important for the University to have freedom regarding its funds, and I am confident that they will put it to good use where it is needed most.”
No matter how you choose to include a gift to the University of Bath in your Will, we thank you.
“The Gold Scholarship gave me the opportunity to attend university. Without the support network in place, the financial bursary and the available advice for career progression, I would not be able to afford, let alone thrive, at university”
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