A recent gift by a West Virginia University alumnus will provide assistance to students for years to come.
A graduate of WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design has made the WVU Foundation a beneficiary of his retirement account. The current value of the gift is approximately $85,000. When the funds are received, they will be used to provide scholarships for qualified students.
“I worry about the affordability of a college education,” said the alumnus, who prefers to remain anonymous. “With government cuts to education and costs of living going up, it becomes very difficult for students, especially when you factor in the cost of associated expenses like textbooks.”
The graduate’s estate gift will provide scholarships for students pursuing programs in animal science, pre-veterinary medicine, plant and soil science, agricultural and extension education, forest management, wildlife and fisheries resources, wood science, and environmental protection, with first preference given to students who are members of Alpha Gamma Rho, the fraternity for students in agriculture, forestry and related disciplines.
While the alumnus knows circumstances may change over time with regards to the size of his gift, he’s a firm believer in the value of estate planning. “When the time comes, if I’m able to leave this to the Foundation, it’s done.”
“Many don’t think about extending their lifetime giving through support in their estate plan, but this is a very worthwhile option, as this alum’s gift shows,” said Deborah Miller, senior director of planned giving with the WVU Foundation.
“The choices for helping the Davis College in this way are extensive, and each gift accomplishes something that couldn’t happen otherwise,” Miller added. “We appreciate so much that giving through your will or retirement account after you’re gone can enhance the Davis College’s future for generations to come.”
The gift was made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $1 billion comprehensive campaign being conducted by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University runs through December 2017.
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CONTACT: David Welsh, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304.293.2394, David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu
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