by Peter H. Congleton

Dr. John Cannon (center), a retired physician and parent of a University of Hartford graduate, checks the pulse of his former patient, Charles Condon, secretary of the university. Bernard "Buck" den Ouden (left), professor of philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences, looks on. Behind them is Ernie Gardow, professor emeritus, who is also a former patient of Dr. Cannon. Cannon, Condon, Gardow, and den Ouden are all members of the university's Founders' Planned Giving Society.

Friends and alumni of the University of Hartford are choosing to provide it with ongoing financial support by making charitable bequests to the university in their wills or estate plans. To celebrate and honor the members of what has been formally designated the Founders' Planned Giving Society, a luncheon was held in September at the 1877 Club. Membership in the Founders' Society is bestowed upon those who have notified the Office of Planned Giving that charitable provisions, which benefit the University of Hartford, are included in their estate plans.

President Walter Harrison expressed his appreciation to those in attendance for their commitment to the university and praised the society members for the many ways in which they have chosen to become "stakeholders" in its future. Society members, who gathered in the 1877 Club that crisp autumn day have made commitments to the university in a variety of ways.

As an example, Dr. John Cannon and his wife, Doris, have designated the University of Hartford as the recipient of their two charitable remainder trusts, managed for the university by the Bank of America. Dr. Cannon, a retired physician and parent of a University of Hartford graduate, and his wife maintain a loyal and active interest in the university and an enthusiastic commitment to The Hartt School in particular.

A charitable remainder trust provides a donor with income for the lifetime of one or more beneficiaries, or for a term of years. Depending on the payout amount agreed upon (never less than 5 percent) and actuarial factors, the donor is allowed a charitable federal income tax deduction in the year of the gift. When the trust terminates, the entire remaining principal, including growth, if any, is distributed to the designated charitable organization(s). The Cannons receive quarterly income payments from the trusts.

The Founders' Society luncheon offered a venue to celebrate this kind of abiding connection. John and Doris Cannon said, "Don't wait for tomorrow when you can do something that is worthwhile today." This sentiment applies equally to the other members who have made their own plans for meaningful gifts to the university.

Professor Emeritus Ernie Gardow and his wife Margery both taught at the university. He was a professor and dean of mechanical engineering at the College of Engineering from 1968 to 1999, and she was a part-time instructor in the English Language Institute in the 1980s. They have designated a percentage of their charitable remainder trust to satisfy their desire to provide for the University of Hartford, together with other charitable organizations.

The charitable plans of some members include provisions in their wills, revocable trusts, retirement plans, or life insurance policies, while others have entered into life income gift arrangements such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts.

Gifts have been designated to endow scholarship funds or professorships, or to fund important areas of anticipated future need. Drawing upon a wide variety of options, Founders' Society members have found numerous ways to structure gifts that ultimately will serve useful and meaningful purposes at the university.

The Cannons, the Gardows, and Charles Condon, together with all the other members of the Founders' Society, invite you to join them in exploring ways to plan your future as a stakeholder in the University of Hartford. For more information, or to permit the university to recognize you for plans you have already made, please contact Peter H. Congleton, director of planned giving, at 860.768.5201 or e-mail congleton@hartford.edu.