Golden Reunion Scholarships: The spirit of giving

Viewing their 50th class reunion not as a capstone but as a starting block, many College of Arts and Sciences alumni celebrate by organizing to endow a permanent scholarship in their class' name. That means raising $25,000 in cash initially and setting a long-term goal to match the class year in dollars (e.g., $55,000 for the Class of 1955). In 2004-05, the Class of 1949 Scholarship Fund, the Class of 1950 Terry Cady Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Class of 1953 Scholarship Fund each received a bequest of $150,000, thanks to Ralph Blachly '49, Trel Tator '53, and Thornton Munger, father of James Munger '50.

This form of planned giving made it possible for the College to award larger scholarships earlier than anticipated and will strengthen each fund's earning capacity over time. It also embodies the gratitude of a generation that benefited from the GI Bill and seeks to extend similar college aid to others.

For more information about putting bequests and other planned gifts to work for you and the College, visit our Planned Giving Web page.