If Donors Owe You, Collect—Even If They're Dead

Aubrey McClendon graduated from Duke University in 1981 and was the co-founder of Chesapeake Energy Corp. He became wealthy as a Colorado wildcatter in the oil industry, and he and his wife (also a Duke alum) provided significant financial support to Duke over the years.

Unfortunately, McClendon died suddenly in a car crash in March and left behind a complex estate, including a large number of assets (investments in almost 200 companies) and liabilities (hundreds of millions of dollars of loans and other creditors)—one of which was his financial pledge commitment to Duke.