A 15-acre country estate valued at $1 million has been donated to William Woods University to be used as a presidential residence while the current home of President Jahnae H. Barnett is converted into an alumni and visitors center.
Barnett said Theresa Vonderschmitt, a member of the WWU Board of Trustees, is so committed to the alumni and visitors center project that she donated the country estate to serve as the residence of the university president.
"The donation will allow the university to begin renovation on the Tom and Claudine O'Connor Alumni and Visitors Center in the very near future," Barnett said.
The donation answers the question of where the president will live when her current home is converted into an alumni and visitors' center.
In addition to a spacious home, Vonderschmitt's property in rural Callaway County includes three horse stalls and tack room, offering the potential for small equestrian activities and also space for hosting events and receptions.
Vonderschmitt was elected to the WWU Board of Trustees in 2004. She manages more than 50 limited partnerships and a portfolio of investments in more than 200 companies. She also serves as a member of the board of Japan Communications Inc., a mobile communications company based in Japan.