Woman Leaves College $2 Million

A member of a pioneer Tacoma family has bequeathed $2 million to the University of Puget Sound.

Virginia Wheelock Marshall, who died Jan. 2, was born in Tacoma in 1908 to Anna and Rufus Wheelock, who settled in the area in 1888 and encouraged the Methodist Church to locate the college there.

The gift announced Friday will allow the university to pay off the $1.1 million debt of the campus’ student union building, which will be named Wheelock Student Center. A meeting and dining room in the building will be named Marshall Hall.

The rest of the gift will be used for student financial aid and other purposes, school officials said.

A dedication ceremony for Wheelock Student Center is scheduled Tuesday.