Georgetown Alumni

Originally from Bloomington, Illinois, George Martin Wetzel (C’59) graduated from Georgetown with a degree in History and Philosophy. After leaving the Hilltop, he entered the Jesuit seminary with the intention of becoming a priest while at the same time earning an M.A. in Art History from Loyola University Chicago.

After eight years at seminary, Wetzel made the difficult decision that his path was not in the priesthood, but remained committed to the ideals of service and community, which led him to Madison, Wisconsin, where he worked with The Renaissance, an early LGBTQ+ organization in the United States. He coordinated fundraising efforts, recruited volunteers, and served as editor of the group’s monthly newsletter, roles that reflected both his organizational talent and his deep belief in supporting others.

Throughout his life, Wetzel remained devoted to his Catholic faith, which he lived out for over 30 years as a lay minister and leader with the Dignity Houston community. He was a supporter and participant of DignityUSA activities and a volunteer with several community organizations including Omega House, a hospice facility founded during the AIDS pandemic.

Continuing Wetzel’s journey in faith was a deep desire to honor his Georgetown experience as part of his larger legacy. He included a significant bequest for Georgetown in his estate plan. The bequest will create the first endowed operations and programming fund for the LGBTQ Resource Center, ensuring that the center will always have adequate resources to support students and foster a larger sense of belonging for all members of the Georgetown community.

Read more about Wetzel’s dedication to his faith and how his gift will make an impact: https://g.town/4omVPON

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