Investing in the Future of DIA

Beth Hoger and Lisa Swem are a power couple.

Beth is a retired professor from Western Michigan University, where she taught business communication and earned the Professor of the Year award for distinguished teaching. She directed the Writing Center and was also a program administrator, focusing throughout her career on equity, diversity and inclusion. In retirement, she pursues her love of music (especially opera), a goal to see a baseball game in every major league park and, thankfully, a great love of the DIA.

Her spouse, Lisa Swem, is not yet retired. As an accomplished attorney, she continues to devote herself to school law with special focus on labor and employment, civil rights, student discipline, special education and athletics. When she is not working, her interests include history, gardening and Notre Dame football.

While waiting for Lisa to be free to accompany her, Beth frequently travels to Detroit from their home in East Lansing to visit the DIA in the company of their friend Jane. Beth brings a critical eye and a keen intellectual curiosity to her museum visits. While visiting, she has asked for recommendations on upcoming exhibitions in London, for a favorite work of art on view in the museum, for an opinion on contemporary art.

Together, this fascinating and delightful couple have made a gift to the DIA in their estate plan. We are so grateful for this wonderful gift, and we look forward to a time when we can see more of Beth, Lisa and Jane in person at the museum.