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Alumni & Giving

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First-Generation Grad Pays it Forward with Legacy Gift
Larry Anthony Lopez credits Worcester State for creating opportunities that led to his successful career. Now he’s planning an estate gift that will ease the financial burden on future Lancers. More

Terry Dorsey-Potts ’73: “If You Can Help Someone Out, You Should”
Terry Dorsey-Potts ’73 says her parents taught her and her siblings to always help other people when you can. Terry has taken that lesson to heart, seeking out ways to help organizations that mean the most to her, including her alma mater, Worcester State. More

Sheehan Bequest Supports Students for Years to Come
The late Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 is Worcester State’s largest single donor. Here’s how his latest gift, a $3.5 million bequest will support students for generations to come. More

Surprise Gift Honors a Long-Ago Act of Kindness
An act of kindness by an early Worcester State alumna was remembered decades later by her late nephew through the establishment of an endowed scholarship in her name. The unexpected $25,000 gift was forwarded to Worcester State by the lawyers settling the estate of Kai Hekker, whose aunt, Geraldine Condon class of 1914, helped his wife, Constance, attend college. That kindness set Constance on a successful career path at a time when few women had careers outside the home. More

Thomas Todd '52 Received Monthly Income During His Lifetime With a Charitable Gift Annuity
The late Thomas Todd Jr. '52 attended Worcester State Teachers College "quite by accident." But he described his years as a student here as "a peak experience." More

Bequest Helps Nontraditional Students
Margaret "Peggy" Manoogian '77 believes her life was transformed by her Worcester State experience—so much so that one of her dying wishes was to assist future Worcester State students whose circumstances were similar to her own. More

Alumna Shows Appreciation for a Wonderful Life
"As we get older, we start to think of wills—not that we want to use them now!" says Margaret "Peggy" Curran '54, M.Ed. '56. Peggy hopes that as her classmates make provisions for the future, they will consider including Worcester State University in their plans. More

Scholarship a Living Legacy of Couple's Admiration for Nurses
For Cathy Chude '13, receiving scholarships such as the Marilyn M. and Russell S. Fox Endowed Scholarship does more than ease her mind about the cost of attending Worcester State University. It relieves part of the financial burden her mother has assumed in order to give her children a college education. More

Alumna Makes Transformative Bequest
The late Esther Elizabeth Matthews '40, Ed.D., was a passionate champion of Worcester State University's mission for many decades. More

Help Yourself and Your Alma Mater With a Charitable Gift Annuity
Thomas Todd Jr. '52 attended Worcester State Teachers College "quite by accident." But he says his years as a student here remain "a peak experience." More

Alumnus' Stock Gift Supports WSC Students 
Retired Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan '55 appreciates the life-altering role that education, circumstances, success and philanthropy can play in a person's life. More

Professor Emeritus Honors WSC's Commitment to Community
Worcester State University Professor Emeritus Nancy A. Johnson, Ed.D., is one of Worcester's few residents to have had a street named in her honor. More

Rubins Honor Their Parents While Helping Students Excel
Allen and Ruth R. (Sadick) '52 Rubin were blessed with parents who were there to encourage them. More

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Worcester State University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

Bequest Language

"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Worcester State Foundation [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Worcester State or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Worcester State as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Worcester State as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Worcester State where you agree to make a gift to Worcester State and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

Personal Estate Planning Kit Request Form

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