Gift Planning Connections

Philosophical Philanthropy

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George Van Sant. Photo courtesy of University Archives Centennial Collection.
George Van Sant. Photo courtesy of University Archives Centennial Collection.

After serving his country as a Marine Corps officer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy George Van Sant was a dedicated faculty member at Mary Washington for over three decades, earning the Grellet C. Simpson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 1986.

When he passed away in 2013, Professor Van Sant’s own life insurance policy helped fund the Dr. George Van Sant Scholarship, established by friends, colleagues, and former students, led by Marsha Lynn Wilkins ’62, who also set up an endowment for the Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion in honor of her late professor.

Martina Nicholson '25
Martina Nicholson ’25

“Receiving this scholarship alleviates the financial burden and allows me to concentrate fully on my education,” said Martina Nicholson ’25, a philosophy: pre-law and communication and digital studies major. “Being given the opportunity to learn about the evolution of human thought and progress has further fueled my passion for law and journalism.”

Martina Nicholson has also been the recipient of the Marjorie Jean Frost ’44 and Sylvia McJilton Woodcock ’61 scholarships and the Penelope Ann Parrish Internship in Journalism. She was also named the 2025 recipient of the Grace Mann Launch Award at the annual Eagle Awards ceremony. 

Visit umwheritage.org to learn more about establishing scholarships. For more information about estate planning, visit https://umw.giftlegacy.com/ or contact Executive Director of Gift Planning and Major Gifts Jeremy Vaughn ’08 at jvaughn@umw.edu or 540-654-2063.

-Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 for the Gift Planning Connections newsletter, Spring 2025

Planning for Peace of Mind

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Now is the perfect time to update your will

Unsplash image - hands on a Mac laptop keyboard. As you focus on spring cleaning tasks this season, consider making time for perhaps the most important organization project of all: preparing or updating your last will and testament. Approximately 65% of Americans currently do not have a will, and many pass away every day without having created this critical document to give their surviving family and friends peace of mind.

If you were to pass away today, ask yourself who would inherit your property? Who would care for your minor children until they are mature enough to make sound life and financial decisions? What charities would you want to support and carry forward your legacy?

If you were to pass away without a last will and testament – which is legally known as dying “intestate” – major decisions would be left up to your state of residency. This includes appointing guardians for your children and distributing your assets, potentially causing disharmony among your loved ones. If your family has experienced any important life events since your plan was last updated – such as marriages, divorces, births, deaths, or changes in financial situations – now is the perfect time to make adjustments.

There are significant incentives to clearly outlining your personal wishes, especially regarding child custody, distribution of real estate or assets, planned charitable giving, and passing on your values. A carefully prepared will can also help reduce expenses, estate taxes, and taxes on retirement plans, while minimizing conflicts relating to settling your estate.

You can prepare your will using CresWill, a free, online will-planning tool that guides you through easy-to-understand prompts. Create a valid will that can be downloaded and printed in just minutes, securing your legacy and your family’s future this spring.

For more information about estate planning, visit https://umw.giftlegacy.com/ or contact Executive Director of Gift Planning and Major Gifts Jeremy Vaughn ’08 at jvaughn@umw.edu or 540-654-2063.

-Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 for the Gift Planning Connections newsletter, Spring 2025

Copyright: 2016, 2023 & 2025 Crescendo Interactive, Inc. Used by permission: TF-2016-011.1-sr, 23KJ14, 24KJ34

Formula for Success

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Chemistry scholarship proves to be a defining element in UMW senior’s college career 

Alex Bindon '25 earned the Jacqueline C. Kane Scholarship in Chemistry and is planning a career in analytical chemistry. Photo by Karen Pearlman.
Alex Bindon ’25 earned the Jacqueline C. Kane Scholarship in Chemistry and is planning a career in analytical chemistry. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Alex Bindon ’25 felt a rush when he received his Experimental Methods exam. His task? Identify a chemical compound by comparing charts, graphs, and spectra from lab instruments.

“It turned out to be glucose,” said Alex, who discovered a passion for analytical chemistry at the University of Mary Washington. “It feels like I’m a detective in an investigation.”

Alex found a fitting formula at UMW, where he earned the Jacqueline C. Kane Scholarship in Chemistry. It was an honor, he said, to receive the award established by the late Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 in memory of a chemist friend who passed away in 2014.

“It was tremendously helpful,” said Alex, who has worked hard at Mary Washington but has always appreciated guidance from faculty members. When he struggled with organic chemistry his first semester, he reached out to Professor Janet Asper.

“She said that when fighter pilots take off from aircraft carriers, they drop down before they fly up,” he said. “Then she encouraged me to read the textbook and apply myself so I can take off without flying into the ocean.”

The analogy resonated with Alex, who grew up near the world’s largest naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, and catapulted him to success in college.

His perseverance also helped him land an internship last summer with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, where he contributed to the purification and treatment of wastewater to keep the bay clean and prevented sewage from entering harbors. He hopes to find a job there after graduation or at a chemical plant in Richmond, Baltimore, or Pittsburgh.

Alex recently connected with Christy Copper ’91, a professor at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, who teaches analytical chemistry. He sought her advice after attending her talk to UMW chemistry majors last fall.

“It’s important to show alumni your true, hard-working self,” he said of Christy and Irene, who established the scholarship that was a catalyst in his college career. “I’m so grateful to those who have supported me so I can take off.”

For more information about estate planning, visit https://umw.giftlegacy.com/ or contact Executive Director of Gift Planning and Major Gifts Jeremy Vaughn ’08 at jvaughn@umw.edu or 540-654-2063.

– Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 for the Gift Planning Connections newsletter, Spring 2025 

Give Back to Get Back

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Prioritize year-end philanthropy to save on taxes

UMW Fall Branded Photoshoot 2023 photo of signpost with blue University of Mary Washington flag against maple trees on College Avenue. During the holidays, charitable giving is a great way to spread goodwill and make a positive impact. Not only does it benefit organizations and individuals that receive support, but you can also earn valuable benefits, such as owing less in taxes in 2025.

CASH GIFTS

Consider making monetary donations to Mary Washington and other charitable organizations before the end of the year. Many employers provide matching gift programs, which may still be available even if you or your spouse are retired. If applicable, obtain a matching gift form from your employer and submit it to UMW along with your donation.

Donating up to $100,000 can fulfill your annual IRA required minimum distribution (RMD). Although you won’t be able to claim a deduction, you’ll benefit from not having to pay taxes at your current rate. Ensure that your administrator makes the distribution directly to Mary Washington.

CAPITAL ASSETS

Assess what you already own, such as stocks, property, furniture, art, coin or stamp collections, jewelry, or other precious metals. If you intend to donate something other than publicly traded stock, a qualified appraiser can help determine its estimated value.

A gift of a capital asset to a qualified charity offers several benefits:

  • You avoid paying capital gains tax.
  • The asset is removed from your estate, which can reduce the tax burden for your beneficiaries.
  • There are savings on the costs of maintaining, insuring, and repairing the asset.
  • You may be eligible for an income tax deduction of up to 30% of your adjusted gross income for the current year. If the deduction exceeds this limit, you can carry it over and use it over the next five years.
  • You experience the satisfaction and joy of knowing your asset is being used in a meaningful way.

ESTATE PLANNING

Now is an ideal time to review your will and account records to ensure beneficiary information is up to date. If you’ve included Mary Washington in your estate plans, please reach out to the Office of Gift Planning so we can assist in honoring your wishes.

LEARN MORE

Visit https://giving.umw.edu/make-a-gift for information about cash gifts, IRA distributions, matching gifts, and direct stock transfers. If you have questions or would like to learn more about giving options, please contact Jan Clarke at jclarke@umw.edu or 540-654-2064. As always, consult with your legal and tax professionals.

– Article written by Assistant Director of Advancement Communications Jill Graziano Laiacona ’04 for the Gift Planning Connections newsletter, Fall 2024