The Metz Will: Getting Creative
![[Clause from Lillian Metz's will]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/archives-omeka-glen%2Fthumbnails%2F57f0c4108a7b0b7e199490d0f7a4a150.jpg "[Clause from Lillian Metz's will]")
Clause from Lillian Metz's will, which allocated aid to students who were "handicapped by lack of means.” [Figure 6.1]
Lillian Metz left $5000 to Trinity College of Dallas, Texas. Under harsh economic conditions, the college was eventually was forced to close its doors. As there was no Catholic university in Sherman, Texas, Metz's hometown, St. Edward's University attempted to obtain the money allocated in the will to use as a loan for students in need of financial aid.
At the same time, the university began to get crafty in an effort to not meet the same fate as Trinity College.
![[Letter, Head, Dillard, Maxey-Freeman, McReynolds & Hay to Rev. Joseph O'Donohoe, 1932-05-16]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/archives-omeka-glen%2Fthumbnails%2F4f413d40df83277559118ea2e546a46b.jpg "[Letter, Head, Dillard, Maxey-Freeman, McReynolds & Hay to Rev. Joseph O'Donohoe, 1932-05-16]")
Lawyers began the process of lawfully editing the paperwork, substituting St. Edward’s for Trinity College. [Figure 6.2]
St. Edward's enlisted Head, Dillard, Maxey-Freeman, McReynolds and Hay law firm to represent them during their acquisition of the money mentioned in the Metz will. Although this would cost the University, they desperately sought a source for students to obtain loans to remain in school. Without enough students enrolled, the university would not remain open. This was yet another example of the university exhibiting creativity in the face of financial stagnation.
Obtaining the loan in a timely manner was of utmost importance to the university. The Metz will would provide $5000 and acted as a loan for students who did not have the money to pay their debts. St. Edward's quickly attempted to become the substitute for Trinity College of Dallas, Texas and obtain the will. However, the legal process proved to be time consuming. Over the course of six months, President Hugh O'Donnell corresponded with lawyers and Rev. O'Donohoe about the will. Dr. O'Donnell documented the university's journey to obtain the will. O'Donnell wrote O'Donohoe often to check in and to ask about the high-priority Metz will. [Figure 6.3]
Dennis Collins was one student who desperately needed financial assistance to continue his studies. President O'Donnell took a personal interest in his case and attempted to help Collins find funding to remain in school. [Figure 6.5] The Metz will came at a time when Collins needed money—and he needed it quickly. O'Donnell persistently pursued the Metz case and other forms of financial assistance on Collins’ behalf. Dr. O'Donnell would later write that the Metz will would also benefit many other students who were struggling to pay for tuition. [Figure 6.4]
University President O'Donnell corresponded regularly with Dr. O'Donohoe regarding the financial peril of St. Edward's students.
![[Letter, Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C. to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-01-04]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/archives-omeka-glen%2Fsquare_thumbnails%2Fad0b95c5be2a4c7487bacbb11d6b8b19.jpg "[Letter, Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C. to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-01-04]")
Dr. O’Donnell, President, inquiring about the time sensitivity of the Metz will—emphasizing the urgency of the matter. [Figure 6.3]
![[Letter, Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C. to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-03-30]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/archives-omeka-glen%2Fsquare_thumbnails%2F08d18f6642b691bd8d03ab0da2512faf.jpg "[Letter, Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C. to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-03-30]")
Dr. O'Donnell had a student that needed the money to help pay for his studies. O'Donnell was not sure they would receive the money in time, but hoped for the best. [Figure 6.4]
![[Letter, Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C. to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-01-06]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/archives-omeka-glen%2Fsquare_thumbnails%2Ff855a60b762cdda08eccd4306e3cc048.jpg "[Letter, Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C. to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-01-06]")
Dr. O'Donnell mentions Dennis Collins, a fine young man particularly in need of financial assistance. [Figure 6.5]
![[Letter, Head, Dillard, Maxey-Freeman, McReynolds & Hay to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-03-23]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/archives-omeka-glen%2Fsquare_thumbnails%2F26115bcc05c3ce2143dd6a0f718b6096.jpg "[Letter, Head, Dillard, Maxey-Freeman, McReynolds & Hay to Rev. Joseph G. O'Donohoe, 1932-03-23]")
Lawyers discuss possible issues with the Metz will including the amount of time it will take to recieve the will. [Figure 6.6]
![[Letter, Head, Dillard, Maxey-Freeman, McReynolds & Hay to Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, 1932]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/archives-omeka-glen%2Fsquare_thumbnails%2Fca6aa00cf8b851a78a486f451e03a0e0.jpg "[Letter, Head, Dillard, Maxey-Freeman, McReynolds & Hay to Rev. Hugh O'Donnell, 1932]")
St. Edward's lawyers letter about legal fees the likely favorable ruling the university will receive. [Figure 6.7]
The enlisted law firm did not have an easy job on their hands. They had to jump through legal hoops while taking into account the time sensitivity of processesing the Metz will, as exhibited in Figures 6.6 and 6.7.
In the end, the university was able to obtain the funds from the Metz will. The Metz will provided revenue to the university and allowed more students to attend. The university's persistence in obtaining the Metz grant helped keep Catholics in Catholic school as well as allowed the university to create and maintain a facade of growth. The creative solution to the dire financial situation, in this case, proved successful as the university’s doors remained open.