The Gift of Opportunity

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When Dr. David Berkowitz started college, his aunt gave him $2,000. Her generous gift alleviated the financial burden that comes with extra academic expenses and allowed him to focus on his studies. He eventually paid her back, and now he's paying it forward.

"The value of that little bit of help was immeasurable," David says. "It's important for me to leave future generations an opportunity to succeed." Today, this is exactly what he is doing. David and his late wife Judy established two scholarships to which they contributed yearly. He continues to hold the tradition of giving they started together by including UAH Foundation in his will.

Naming UAH Foundation as a beneficiary in your will or trust is a small change with immeasurable impact. Legacy gifts of all sizes help us meet our goals and reach further into the future. Let's talk about the gift that best matches your values and intentions!

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Dr. C. David Billings plans for future generations.

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As an undergraduate during the time of the Vietnam War, Dr. C. David Billings worried his plans for graduate school and a career would be deterred. On the contrary, he was able to earn his B.S. at Missouri State University and later achieved his Ph.D. at The University of Missouri in Columbia. With stops at The Pentagon and The University of Georgia, David was eventually asked to help establish the business school at UAH, and he accepted the challenge.

With hard work and support of the community, David gained accreditation for the school in 1993, which would later be recognized as one of the pioneering schools for science and technology. He served as Dean of UAH’s College of Business Administration for 26 years.

In honor of the University and the surrounding community, David and his wife, Nancy, decided to make a gift to UAH. "We like to give while we live so we know where it goes, something we learned from Nancy's parents," says David. "I like to plant trees, and I take the same approach with giving–we wanted to make sure we nurture the environment so those 'trees' can bear fruit. You don't have to do it all now, you just need a plan."

David is right. Legacy giving is all about planning. Your forethought and generosity today create opportunities for our future. Let's talk about the gift that best matches your intentions!

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D. Royce Boyer plays a unique part in UAH’s history.

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Since founding the music program in 1966, Royce says he has watched it get ”better and better and bigger and bigger.” He remains in touch with the music department and enjoys being close to campus since moving back to the community.

Along with teaching, Royce spent many years tuning pianos for extra money–something he still does–and it has paid off. "I accrued some money tuning and teaching, invested it, and now created an endowment for liberal arts," he shares. Royce directed his gift toward faculty enhancement and retention, understanding that students benefit from better teaching. He believes that if you have a personal connection to UAH, you should make an effort to give back when you can.

We invite you to play your part in the success of UAH. A gift from your will, trust, or retirement plan can be directed to the department or program of your choice. No matter what you decide, your gift will have a great impact on our students. Play your part! Let's find the gift that best represents the cause that means the most to you.

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Rebecca Brem understands that having a partner makes a task easier–and more enjoyable.

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When she decided to go back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner at age 39, Rebecca knew she'd find more success if she did it with a friend. "A friend had the same idea," she recalls, "so we did it together!"

Rebecca, who was teaching Nursing before returning to school herself, applied for a loan and received a scholarship. She feels that UAH gave her the opportunity and confidence to move into a new career level, and now she wants to give back. "I want to help struggling students making a similar transition," she says. "I want students to be able to go after their goals without worrying about the money."

She set up a trust with University of Alabama Huntsville Foundation (UAHF), which directs her gift to deserving students in need. "Every bit is helpful, and a little goes a long way," she says. Rebecca is right; gifts of all forms and sizes combine to make a difference at UAH. There's strength in numbers. Partner with UAHF through estate planning to help provide opportunities for UAH students.

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Roderick Duke (1977 alumnus) says UAH is in his DNA.

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"It's what you're all about–your mom and your dad help create your identity, of course, but UAH is part of that,” he says. Rod arrived on campus wanting to get a degree at a good university and play sports. Inspired by teachers and coaches, Rod succeeded on all fronts, thanks in part to the lessons and experiences he enjoyed in and outside of UAH classrooms.

Through his involvement with the alumni and athletic associations after graduation, Rod quickly realized that UAH is one of those institutions that can do a lot with a little. "There's a multiplier effect," he says. "I knew my smaller 'here and there' gifts were making a huge difference."

Rod and his wife, Becky, later answered the call to make a larger gift for improvements to Spragins Hall; they created the a study facility used by our student-athletes.

Rod and Becky have also included UAH in their will, hoping for two things: "We wanted to do something at UAH that our kids and grandkids can look back on with pride," says Rod. "And we hope our gift will help UAH continue to graduate outstanding students who are doing outstanding things for our community, state, nation even!"

Follow Rod's lead! Invest in the future of UAH students by making a planned gift. A gift from your will, trust, or retirement plan can be directed to the department or program of your choice. Let's find the gift that best represents the cause that means the most to you.

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THE TRUE VALUE OF EDUCATION

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Dorcas Harris, a 1993 graduate of UAH, says her parents accepted no excuses. They expected her and her four siblings to do well in school and take advantage of the education they were provided. Her parents were prosperous enough to help other children go to college, and that spirit of philanthropy was ingrained in Dorcas.

"We think about the things that mean the most to us and how we want to support those things, and for me, UAH is at the top,” she says. "Education is not something you get for yourself and your family, but something to spread around and make available to others. I know the value of education, and I want to plant the seed for future students."

Dorcas has put her words into action by making a planned gift supporting a scholarship that will provide need-based assistance to UAH students who need it most. Her gift plants the seed of education. Legacy gifts of all types and sizes help us meet our current goals and reach further into the future. Let's talk about the gift that best matches your intentions!

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Shannon McGarry wanted to give back to the institution that launched her career.

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Shannon McGarry, a 1992 graduate of UAH, has had a diverse career from NASA engineer to FBI special agent. Still, she says none of it would have been possible without the experience and exposure UAH offered her.

As a member of the College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences External Advisory Board, Shannon wants to see students continue to excel in careers that will ensure the security of our nation.  "I don't have children, so it's an easy way for me to impact future generations," she says. Shannon always knew she wanted to support UAH, but was inspired to make a planned gift after reading the story of another donor, Dr. Chuck Karr, president of UAH, and she hopes her story may inspire others. She remarked how easy it was to include UAH in her legacy plans–another great reason to make your plan today.

Gifts like Shannon's are not just donations; they are a valued investment in our students and community. Philanthropy allows UAH to better support our students, faculty, colleges, and programs so they remain superior regionally and nationally. With a planned gift, you can create your legacy of support for UAH. It is easier than you think–contact us today!

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Lynn and John Troy know what matters most to them.

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Lynn (1992 alumna) and John (1989 alumnus) remark how their lives were enriched by a UAH education. "We both know how life-altering it was," says Lynn. Neither had a traditional college experience and both had some roadblocks to overcome. Lynn and John decided to make a legacy gift that helps other students overcome the barriers to a successful educational experience. "We look back and think about turning points," says Lynn, "What if we had chosen a different path or hadn't been able to go to UAH? We want to make a UAH education available for every deserving student."

When you make a planned gift to the UAH Foundation, you show your love for our university and support future generations of students. Legacy gifts of all types and sizes help us meet our current goals and reach further into the future. Let's talk about the gift that best matches your intentions!

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Nancy and Bob Darnall

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Exploring New Options

Neither Nancy nor Bob Darnall attended UAH, but after retirement, they began taking classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on campus. They quickly fell in love with the learning community and its opportunities for enrichment and connection.

As they met people through OLLI, the Darnalls got involved with other events and clubs, became instructors at OLLI, and now call UAH their second home. In support of the programs that have become so important to them, they recently decided to make UAH a beneficiary of an IRA.

”It seemed logical when planning; UAH would be a good place for us to leave some money. We have always donated, so in thinking about planning and our ultimate demise, we decided that UAH seemed like a logical place for our support to go.“

They credit the approachable administration for their comfort and ease of making a planned gift. ”We know the development team and it has become a different kind of relationship,“ says Nancy. ”Arranging this type of gift is so easy. Simply call your broker and tell them to add a beneficiary.“

The Darnalls encourage everyone to get out, learn new things, meet new people, and explore the ways you can support UAH. Including UAH as a beneficiary of your IRA or other retirement asset is easy to do and does not cost anything. You could also consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA. A QCD fulfills any required minimum distribution, reduces your taxable income, and achieves philanthropic goals—all in one simple transaction.

Let’s find the gift that’s right for you.

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