Mary Brent Kraus' legacy at the College of Central Florida and Appleton Museum of Art can be found in numerous forms. Mary was a volunteer for the Appleton Museum of Art for 19 plus years and was very active in the Museum's docent program. In fact, she was Docent of the Year in 2003. Mary not only gave during her lifetime, but she included the College of Central Florida Foundation in her will.

Mary's commitment to education was not just in the arts. She generously endowed seven STEPS to CF scholarships, which benefits promising fifth grade students, to Romeo and Ward-Highlands elementary schools, and Fort McCoy School. She also established three scholarships for CF students in memory of her late husband and brothers: the Daniel M. Kraus, MD Endowed Memorial Scholarship; the Arthur Woods O'Steen Endowed Memorial Scholarship; and the (Ret.) Col. Ernest Clark O'Steen Endowed Memorial Scholarship.

CF's Nursing Simulation Center is named in memory of Mary's late husband, Dr. Daniel Kraus. Mary was instrumental in donating the much-needed funds to make CF's state of the art training facility a reality for students. The patient simulators at the center are named after Mary's family and friends. As a retired nurse herself, Mary was passionate about students having the greatest technology available to learn from.

Mary not only gave during her lifetime, she included the College of Central Florida Foundation in her will. Mary passed away in 2019, but her legacy lives on through the countless students who receive one of the scholarships she funded through her estate plans.

Please note: Each donor's story is unique. Since the benefits of each gift may be different, you should seek the advice of your legal, tax or financial advisor.

What is a charitable bequest?

A bequest is a gift you can make to support College of Central Florida Foundation's mission in your will or living trust or with a codicil.

Charitable bequest video

Is a charitable bequest right for you?

We have resources that will help you learn more about bequests. Please review our sample bequest language. You will see how easy it is to include a bequest in your will or trust.

You might find it helpful to print this page and the bequest language. Please feel free to give this information to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please contact us.