Annual Heritage Society event lauds donors, recognizes importance of planned giving
- June 4, 2010 4:15pm
Last week the University honored the members of the Heritage Society, an honorary group of donors who have included the University in their estate plans with planned gifts. The annual event, usually an outdoor tea hosted by the president, was held indoors this year during unseasonable spring rains.
Still, it was a successful event, says Anthony Macias, the director of planned giving for University Advancement, exemplifying the ways CSUEB builds community among donors and connects them to the life of the University.
In addition to thanking the attendees, President Qayoumi provided campaign updates and discussed several of the fundraising priorities, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and the role of STEM subjects within the humanities and social sciences. He emphasized the need for every graduate to have both science proficiency and an understanding of its place in our world - which together will help them become more effective citizens.
The president also discussed access to higher education and the importance of college pathway programs. On that subject, guests also heard from Stan Hebert, associate vice president of Student Affairs, about the Mathematics Achievement Academies. This critical pathway program received a $1.5 million, three-year pledge from Chevron Corp. last month (read the news story).
On behalf of University Advancement, Macias also recognized attorney Eve Contente; Beatrice Pressley of the Emeriti and Retired Faculty Association and professor emerita of educational psychology; and Judith Stanley, professor emerita of history, who established CSUEB's first charitable gift annuity. Macias added that the university recently received a second annuity from an alumnus.
Planned giving is an important part of maintaining support for future generations of CSUEB students. Gifts can include stock, real estate, trusts, memorial funds, or several other options. Information about planned giving is available on the Giving to CSUEB site.