The Glanton Fund

Promoting Diversity and Inclusivity in Health Care and Our Community

Annual Glanton Event

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Each year, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences hosts the Glanton Event, uniting hundreds of influential community leaders who believe in the importance of diversity and inclusivity. Together, they support the university’s mission of training future health professionals to establish positive, trusting relationships with patients and offer services that meet their unique and diverse needs.

The Impact of the Glanton Fund

The Glanton Fund supports Des Moines University’s goal to create a campus environment that encourages an appreciation for the cultural differences that exist in society and attracts students of all backgrounds to be part of the university and the greater Des Moines community.

The fund generates scholarships for students with significant financial need with preference given to those whose qualities best align with DMU’s mission and values. The fund is also used for programming related to diversity initiatives.

The Glanton Fund: By the Numbers

Over $5.7 million total endowment

More than $3.6 million awarded to students

All 1,534 enrolled students impacted this year

About the Glanton Fund

The Glanton Fund is a unique program established to recognize the contributions of the late Judge Luther T. Glanton and Willie Stevenson Glanton to Des Moines University and Central Iowa. The fund:

  • Generates scholarships to enable promising students to attend DMU.
  • Supports university programming that explores an appreciation for cultural differences.

The Glanton Fund requires eligible recipients to demonstrate financial need, determined annually by a valid FAFSA. Many individuals and organizations support the fund as sponsors of the annual Glanton Event.

Judge Luther T. Glanton and W. Stevenson Glanton

Judge Luther T. Glanton and Willie Stevenson Glanton

Judge Luther T. Glanton and Willie Stevenson Glanton were lawyers who dedicated their lives to professional leadership and community service. He was the first Black judge in Iowa. She was the first Black female assistant county attorney and the first Black person from Polk County to serve in the Iowa Legislature.

They shared a devotion to DMU, too. Judge Glanton joined the DMU Board of Trustees in 1979. When he died in 1991, Mrs. Glanton took his place on the board, became its chair in 1999 and served as a member untill 2012. She passed away in 2017.

Play Video

2024 Glanton Event Keynote Speaker

Hear from keynote speaker Lisa Green, D.O.’91, M.P.H., co-founder and CEO of Family Christian Health Center in Harvey, Illinois.

Latest About the Glanton Fund

Lisa Green, D.O.'91, M.P.H., Steve McManus, Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., and Ruffin Tchakounte, D.O.’22, M.S.A.’18, pose for a photo in front of the stage at the 21st annual Glanton Event.

DMU Glanton Event Unites Leaders to Honor Diversity and Inclusivity

DMU’s 21st annual Glanton Event, presented by Holmes Murphy, brought community leaders together to celebrate diversity and inclusivity and raised an astonishing $320,637.

DMU President and CEO Angela L. Walker Franklin at the Glanton Event.

DMU’s Glanton Event Brings Leaders Together for Positive Change in Health Care 

DMU’s annual Glanton Event, presented by Holmes Murphy, will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

DMU-Glanton-2024

Holmes Murphy Named Presenting Sponsor of DMU’s Glanton Event

Holmes Murphy named presenting sponsor of Glanton Event 2024.

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