Dr. Lynne Drucker Albukerk

Dr. Lynne Drucker Albukerk’s life story is a tapestry woven through her dedication, compassion, and philanthropy. Her journey, filled with personal and professional accomplishments, highlights her unwavering commitment to family, community, and preserving the legacy of Western College for Women (“Western”), whose campus is now a part of Miami University.

Her most influential mentor was Dr. Donavon Auble, a professor at Western who believed in expanding students’ abilities to analyze and question. He taught Lynne to seek opposing viewpoints, to refine her own ideas, and to understand the deeper meaning behind statistics. His lessons in critical thinking and analytical skills have been invaluable to her both personally and professionally. Dr. Auble epitomized the mission of Western College, instilling in his students the importance of listening, thinking, and questioning.

Graduating from Western in 1964 with a psychology degree, while concurrently pursuing graduate studies at Miami University, Lynne began her professional life as a social worker in Cincinnati. In the spring of her senior year, she met Jak Albukerk, and they married that summer. Jak, originally from Turkey, was a pathologist whose dedication to his field and his patients was matched only by his love for his family. Over the years, Lynne earned a Ph.D. in psychology, raised three children, and established a psychology practice on Long Island, now focusing her expertise in geriatrics while navigating her ninth decade of life. Throughout her journey, Lynne has reflected on the multifaceted lessons she learned at Western College.

Miami University and Western College for Women share a rich history, with Western’s legacy deeply embedded in Miami’s values. Before the 1973–74 school year, Miami’s President, Phillip R. Shriver, and Western’s President, William C. Spencer, signed an agreement that led to Western’s campus becoming part of Miami that same year. The Western College Alumnae Association (WCAA), established in 1974, was dedicated to preserving Western’s commitment to women’s education, international understanding, interdisciplinary studies, and social justice.

This past June, as guided by the WCAA’s 2010 strategic plan, the WCAA sunsetted by celebrating the 50-year reunion of its final graduating class. Western’s spirit and values now live on within Miami University’s framework.

During her tenure on the WCAA Board of Trustees from 1990–1996 and 2018–2024, Lynne played a crucial role in transferring WCAA funds to Miami University’s management. This move ensured that scholarship funds would have a more significant impact on recipients’ lives. Lynne’s time on the WCAA board underscores her enduring dedication to Western College’s mission and values. Her leadership also extended to various boards in her community, some requiring management of substantial budgets.

Lynne’s planned giving journey began with a one-life deferred charitable gift annuity (CGA), leading to her induction into Western’s Narka Nelson Circle for donors who have made a planned gift honoring Western’s legacy and benefiting Miami students. The proceeds of Lynne’s CGA will eventually support a WCAA scholarship managed through the Miami University Foundation.

Lynne’s philanthropic strategies are both thoughtful and impactful. She makes charitable contributions into a donor-advised fund (DAF), which offers an immediate tax benefit and can, ultimately, be awarded by a DAF administrator as grants/gifts to select organizations.

Western College’s legacy, sustained through Miami University Foundation, is a significant beneficiary of this fund, not only because Lynne has chosen to utilize this savvy giving vehicle during her lifetime but also because she has made the Foundation, among other selected charitable organizations, a residual beneficiary of this DAF upon her passing.

In addition to the DAF, Lynne has established a charitable remainder unitrust, which offers her a greater sense of financial security and distributes any remaining assets to the Miami University Foundation and other charities upon her passing. This strategy provides Lynne with supplemental income while ensuring her philanthropic impact endures.

Lynne also uses qualified charitable distributions from her individual retirement accounts. By directing a portion of her required minimum distributions to charitable organizations, Lynne reduces her taxable income while celebrating Western College’s enduring legacy as a vital part of Miami’s community.

After a lifetime of service, generosity, and careful planning, Lynne has committed to making a testamentary gift that will help crystallize Western’s place in Miami’s history. This testamentary contribution allows her to shape the future use of her gift, maintaining control over her assets throughout her lifetime, while ensuring her planned gift achieves the desired impact after her passing.

Despite the changes Western College has faced, Dr. Lynne Albukerk remains steadfast in her commitment to its legacy. Her philanthropy will preserve Western’s spirit and memory, ensuring future generations benefit from the same educational opportunities that shaped her own experience.

Lynne’s legacy transcends her financial contributions, encompassing her active involvement, resilience, and deep-rooted commitment to making a positive impact. Through her thoughtful planning and unwavering support, Lynne's generosity ensures Western’s values and traditions will continue to thrive while enriching the lives of future generations.