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Why We Give

Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to Occidental College and other organizations.

  • Bill Grant ’63: A Ray of Light
    Bill Grant ’63: A Ray of Light
    In the summer of 1958, while working as a busboy and room cleaner at the Audubon Society's Nature Camp at Sugar Bowl Resort near Lake Tahoe, I had an encounter that would alter the course of my life.
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  • Phil & Sydney Nichols' Atypical Oxy Aria
    Phil & Sydney Nichols' Atypical Oxy Aria
    When Phil Nichols '68 was in ninth grade, older brother Byron '64 arrived home to Pendleton, Ore., by Greyhound bus, excited to talk about his first semester at Oxy.
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  • The Elephant & the Tiger
    The Elephant & the Tiger
    When Lois Carwile '45 was encouraged by her high school journalism teacher, Charles Jennings '34, to attend Occidental, a liberal...
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  • Karen and Eric Warren '69: Giving Where It's Needed Most
    Karen and Eric Warren '69: Giving Where It's Needed Most
    Eric Warren '69 is a man of many talents. From teaching to electrical design, and from stage designer to historian, Eric has made his mark in several professions. We talked with Eric and his wife, Karen, about his Oxy experience, their life together and how they're making their mark on the future of Occidental College. Read the interview
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  • Benjamin H. Culley, Mathematics Professor and Administrator — Bequest
    Benjamin H. Culley, Mathematics Professor and Administrator — Bequest
    After 33 years at Occidental in a variety of roles-professor of mathematics, dean of men, dean of students, and director of financial aid among them-Benjamin H. Culley had a few observations to share about Oxy back in 1976. "The history of Occidental College is a proud one," he wrote in an all-but-forgotten publication, The Occidental Community Review. More
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  • Thanh Mougeot and Robert F. Mougeot '65 — Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA)
    Thanh Mougeot and Robert F. Mougeot '65 — Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA)
    The working life of a doctor did not appeal to Robert F. Mougeot '65. The Arizona native enrolled at Oxy as a pre-med major, but after two years of studies he asked himself, "Do I really want to do this?" So he switched majors to political science with the intention of going to law school. More
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  • Jeanne C. Day '61 — IRA Rollover
    Jeanne C. Day '61 — IRA Rollover
    Jeanne Day '61 has enjoyed her share of adventure. She obtained her pilot's license in 1963, only hanging up her pilots wings when she turned 70 a few years back. That's when she channeled her energies into motorcycling-a two wheeled passion that led to a solo ride across Alaska. More
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  • Evelyn Thompson Kieffer '40 — Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
    Evelyn Thompson Kieffer '40 — Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
    When Evelyn Thompson Kieffer '40 was 7, her parents built a home reminiscent of their Maine roots across the street from Occidental College-a place that she calls home today. As the daughter of Guy A. Thompson, professor of American literature at Occidental from 1921-41, she was keenly interested in what was happening on campus. More
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  • Bob Winter, Faculty Emeritus - Blended Gift - Retain Life Estate/Charitable Gift Annuity
    Bob Winter, Faculty Emeritus - Blended Gift - Retain Life Estate/Charitable Gift Annuity
    IN A RECENT OCCIDENTAL MAGAZINE SURVEY, members of the Class of '68 were asked to name their three favorite courses and professors. To no one's...
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  • Holly Ward '47 - Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
    Holly Ward '47 - Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
    Unlike many, Holly's first experience with Occidental College came years before she could even apply to the school. Her love for Oxy started in her...
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  • John J. Clague '67 and Lexi V. Clague '67 - Bequest
    John J. Clague '67 and Lexi V. Clague '67 - Bequest
    Growing up in San Diego, John J. Clague '67 lived sufficiently close enough to Oxy that he could drive his laundry home on weekends. "His mother was...
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  • Susan Howell Mallory '76 M'78 - Beneficiary Designation
    Susan Howell Mallory '76 M'78 - Beneficiary Designation
    Susan Howell Mallory '76 M'78 is head of wealth management banking for Northern Trust and chair of the Occidental Board of Trustees. She has...
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  • SUSANNE SPARKS '64 - Bequest
    SUSANNE SPARKS '64 - Bequest
    Oxy opened up new vistas to Susanne Sparks '64. Now she's preparing a canvas for future generations through her bequest.
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Gift Examples

  • Bequests
    Joe and Anna have been faithful supporters of our organization. They believe it is important to help further our mission.
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  • Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to Charity
    Joanne and her late husband Hal had been longtime supporters of our organization. Recently, Joanne's children encouraged...
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  • Fixed Income for Retirement
    After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small town, Patricia is ready to retire.
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  • Tax-Free Sale
    Howard and Lynn were both age 55 when they purchased some vacant land a few miles outside of town. They thought real estate would be a good investment that could be sold later for a profit.
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  • Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio.
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  • Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Many years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was very pleased with her home, she bought stock in the company that built the home.
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  • Endowment Gift
    Pat and Shelly were recently married. They both had been dedicated volunteers at their favorite charity for many years.
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  • Sale and Unitrust
    Gene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. The company has done well.
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  • The Retirement Unitrust
    Mary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she and her husband Bill inherited the farm.
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  • Property Turns Into Income
    Miranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their three children. After her spouse passed away, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her property.
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  • Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Luis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially in value.
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  • Part Gift and Part Sale
    Susan and Kevin bought a vacant lot along Lake Michigan many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their family could spend their summers along the lake.
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  • Current Gifts
    As is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.
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  • Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)
    Keith has been a faithful supporter of Occidental College and makes regular gifts to support our work.
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  • Transferable on Death (TOD) Gifts
    Harold and Jeanne married after meeting at an event Occidental College held for our donors. They wanted to leave a legacy gift...
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  • A Bequest to Further Good Work
    Nancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
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  • Deferred Gift Annuity
    Several years ago, Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock.
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  • What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?
    Michael and Kelly were retired engineers with two adult children. They owned a home, some stocks, and IRAs.
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  • Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Jonathan purchased his home many years ago for $80,000. The home is now worth $420,000. Jonathan wants to sell his home and buy a condo for $130,000.
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  • A Bequest to Save Taxes
    Thomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work, Thomas wanted to thank us with a gift from his estate.
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  • Leading for the Future
    Luke and Cynthia spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
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  • Give it Twice Trust
    While visiting her favorite charity's website, June came across the idea of a give it twice trust. She contacted the charity for more information.
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scriptsknown

"Members of the Oxy community who support Oxy through their estate plans have provided us with an incredibly distinctive gift-an infinite investment in the College. We are grateful to these generous donors whose forethought will allow Oxy to deliver our exceptional liberal arts education to generation upon generation of talented students."

- President Harry J. Elam, Jr.

"Oxy showed me that the path to one's goals need not be linear or conventional. I learned how to think, to write, to create; to trust my instincts and pursue my interests with passion and a standard of excellence. Not a day has passed that I have not been rewarded in some way by my Occidental education."

- Michael J. Fields '70

Michael and his wife Pamela recently documented an estate gift to support the Obama Scholars Program and the EdgertonOccidental Merit Scholarship.