Utrecht 1636: “Don't hesitate, just do it”

If you get the chance to study at university, it's a privilege. And if you later have the opportunity to give something back, then you should just do it. That, in a nutshell, is the conviction of Maaike Wijnen, a long-time donor to Utrecht University. Since 2023, she has also been a member of the Utrecht 1636 network, a network of committed donors who annually donate a larger, fixed amount to support education and research.

"There is no reason not to do it. It feels very logical to me."

The University as common thread

Maaike's connection with the university goes back a long way. She studied French here and, having just graduated, was given the opportunity to participate in the 350th anniversary of the university in 1983. “A great start where the whole team was given all the space to develop and organize beautiful events.” In the years that followed, Maaike worked at the Faculty of Humanities before transferring to the VvAA (association for healthcare professionals) where she then worked for 22 years.

Still, the university continued to draw her, and when she got the chance to return in 2015 in a position at the University Library, she didn't have to think long about it. "That really felt like coming home. I love academia and the energy that comes from it." This year, she will retire at the end of November, and quite coincidentally, she is also contributing to the lustrum celebration. “40 years later, this time the 390th anniversary, thus completing the circle nicely.”

Donate? Just do it!

In 2023, Maaike decided to make her donations to the University Fund more structural by joining the Utrecht 1636 network. “Just get on with it now,” she told herself. In doing so, she did not choose one specific named fund, but supports the general goals of the fund. “I am confident that the people of the fund know where the money is needed most,” she said.

Maaike personally owes a lot to the university, and donating to the University Fund feels natural to her. She hopes this becomes true for many more alumni. "There are so many former students who enjoyed studying here. And if you are convinced that education and research should continue to flourish, and you yourself have been given plenty of opportunities AND you have the financial means, why wouldn't you donate?" Her message is clear: “Don't hesitate, just do it!”