Gail Phillips Houlihan '58

Not all families are happy ones. I came from one of those that was not perfect, but I found a place where I belonged, and could feel "at home", when I came to NJC in 1954. And it still feels like home, even though the name has changed and the campus has grown.

I have the opportunity to be on campus a few times a year now that I am serving on the AADC Board as Annual Fund Chair. The visits energize me&helip; the students I see today are simply outstanding; they have such confidence in their future and express it in their speech and in their entire attitude. It is a delight to see young women as enthusiastic about Douglass and the Douglass experience as we were in the 50's.

With tools such as the E-portfolio, the Extern Program, the Global Village (and other) living-learning experiences, the scholarship and travel opportunities, the multi-ethnic environment on campus&helip; I am more than a little envious.

In a way, I made an investment when I chose to attend NJC/Douglass, and that investment has repaid me many times over. I left college with job offers, I believed that a woman's gender should not make any difference in opportunities available, I benefitted from leadership opportunities because I had been able to be a leader on campus, and, now, I say, with such pride because of what Douglass is today, that I am a Douglass alum!

I am happy to be able to support the AADC and her students financially through planned giving opportunities. For me those have been two-fold: I have the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College in my will and I have taken advantage of two annuities which benefit me now, and later, will benefit Douglass. This is a great example of "paying it forward"!

1/1/2008

Mary Kelleher DiMartino '85 - Giving Can Be Rewarding

This year marks my 25th anniversary since graduating from the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College which prompts some reflection on what has made a difference in my life. I immediately think of Douglass and those who fostered an environment that allowed young women to challenge themselves and develop their skills in and outside the classroom.

While Douglass has experienced changes since my days on campus, its commitment to the mission of advancing women's leadership has grown stronger, with the introduction of programs such as new living-learning communities, the "Leadership and Power" course for first year students, and the Leadership Scholars Certificate. And, as alumnae, we not only keep the Douglass mission alive with our voices, but also with our purses. Due to the generous donations of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, students continue to participate in events, special opportunities, and outstanding lectures that provide them with a front-row seat to women's leadership. This is one reason giving is so important; it will benefit students and the AADC. But giving can also benefit the donor.

Winston Churchill said: We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. When we make a financial commitment, we not only support that which matters most to us but we are also doing something that is good for our hearts and minds- giving unselfishly. Altruism has a way of improving our overall sense of wellbeing and a personal donation is a form of reaching out to support an individual or organization. I give to the AADC Annual Appeal every year, and I have made a bequest to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College in my will.

You can support the AADC by supporting the AADC through Annual Appreal and/or by making a planned gift, such as a bequest, an annuity, or IRA funds, to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College for scholarships, a specific program, or our general endowment. You can also give as a tribute to a fellow classmate or colleague. In return, you will be connected to a larger community of donors who share a commitment to the "Douglass Difference". But, more importantly, you will be rewarded with a sense of pride and the satisfaction of knowing that you're impacting on the lives of young women and our sister alumnae. Your act of giving will remain with you for many years long after you've made the contribution, a gift that can be priceless.

Mary Kelleher DiMartino '85

1/1/2010

Ruth and Albert Kurtz

When my mother graduated from high school at age sixteen, she wanted to go to college and become a teacher. However, her father determined that it would be better if she stayed home and helped her mother with her brothers. My mother was very disappointed, but she did not go to college, although her brothers did.

During her lifetime she was a strong advocate for education. As a child I remember that she was emphatic about voting "yes" on school budgets. She and my father supported me in all my school activities.

When it was time for me to go to college, my parents and I decided that the New Jersey College for Women (NJC) was the best choice for me. I received two scholarships for tuition and augmented my board with a waitress job at Cooper Hall. It would not have been possible for me to attend college without financial aid. My mother had a long productive life, and after she passed away at age 98, my husband Albert and I thought we should do something to honor her. It was then we learned about gift annuities. We decided to invest in one and have added to it for several succeeding years.

Although the annuity income comes to us while we are living, after our deaths the annuity is designated for a scholarship for a the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College student in memory of Edith K. Morgan. Not only will this give something back to the college that gave me an excellent education, but it also will be a lasting memorial to my mother. I know she would be pleased to know that some young women might fulfill her dream.

Ruth Morgan Kurtz '45

1/1/2008

Rachel Aumack, DC, '92

When my husband and I decided to start a family, we realized that it was time to plan for what would happen to our children if we both passed away. This prompted us to go to an attorney and have our wills drawn up. During the meeting, our attorney asked if there were any charities we wanted to remember in our will. We thought about it and discussed the possibility of remembering the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College. Douglass meant so much to me when I was an undergraduate, and I was aware that gifts from other benefactors had provided opportunites to women who needed assistance to attend college. If I could give back to an institution whose mission was to develop young women into mature adults who were ready to change the world, I would feel fortunate to be included. So, I have remembered my alma mater for that reason - I want to help women change the world with their the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College education.

1/1/2008

Frances Dunbar

Frances Dunbar was a physics major who built a career as an Electrical Engineer for over 38 years with AT&T. She was "brilliant, amazingly capable, and unfailingly constant." An expert on ecology, birds, gardening, sewing, gourmet cooking, travel - on anything that sparked her interest - her curiosity about the world was boundless.

Frances was active with the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC) and served her class as president, fund agent, secretary, and as chair of the Leaders Conference and the Awards Committee. On her death Frances left a substantial trust to provide annual income to the AADC so that future Douglass women could reap life benefits, as she did, from her education here.

Establishing a trust is one way to benefit AADC. Planned gifts of any size, such as bequests by will or gifts of other assets including retirement funds, insurance, or property, are also welcome by the "Associate Alumnae of Douglass College" - correct wording for any such gifts.

1/1/2008

Ann Philman Neupauer

Ann Pihlman Neupauer ’31 was a Home Economics major and after graduation she returned to Jersey City where she taught at Snyder High School. Aware of the needs of many high school students for funds to attend college, Ann provided a bequest of over $1 million to endow a scholarship fund for young women who want to come to Douglass College.

Ann's gift was our first alumna bequest of $1 million, but you don’t have to be a millionaire to provide scholarships for current and future students. Bequests or other planned gifts of any size can be made to our general scholarship fund, or a named, endowed fund can be established for $25,000 or more.

1/1/2008

Frances Bradley L'Hommedieu

A devoted alumna, Frances was involved in alumnae activities and committed to helping current students. She created a trust that endowed a Special Opportunity Fund, a Science Scholarship Fund, a Community College Graduate Scholarship, and the annual L'Hommedieu Lecture. Each year since then her generosity has enriched students, alumnae, and the community with speakers like Jane Goodall, Frank McCourt, and Anna Quindlen. Over 250 women have benefited from her endowed scholarship and special needs funds.

1/1/2008

Madeleine Schetty

An active and devoted alumna, Madeleine was president of the class of 1927, a member and treasurer of the AADC Board, and recipient of the Alumnae Recognition Award. She was a generous donor to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College and bequeathed her estate to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College as an unrestricted endowment. Thanks to Madeleine's generosity, additional needed support was possible for a new lecture program, the Douglass Project for Women in Math, Science, and Engineering, “Shaping a Life”, PLEN, and student recruitment.

1/1/2008

Carrol Hirsch

Carrol was a French major and Phi Beta Kappa member at NJC. In her own words, her experience here contributed to “engendering tolerance, patience, and understanding of the other person’s point of view, increasing facility in living with others and sharing with them, fostering of self-reliance and freedom from dependence on my immediate family or closest friends in formulation of my own philosophy.”

On her death Carrol left a substantial trust to provide annual income to the AADC so that future Douglass women could reap life benefits, as she did, from her education here.

Establishing a trust is one way to benefit our students and the college. Planned gifts of any size, such as bequests by will or gifts of other assets including retirement funds, insurance, or property, are also welcome by the “Associate Alumnae of Douglass College" - the correct wording for any such gifts.

1/1/2008

Audrey Brown Walton and Robert Walton

Audrey Brown Walton and Robert Walton

1/1/2008

Our date with Douglass began over 70 years ago at Douglass and Rutgers Colleges as entering freshmen, Audrey Brown Walton DC '38 and Robert Walton RC '38 and Ph.D. Times were hard back in the thirties; there were no scholarships for us, and my Dad had just lost his job.

Since that time, our lives have been inextricably entwined as volunteer leaders and donors to our beloved university. Over the years, we have made generous gifts to the annual and special funds of our schools in loving tributes. 

Soon after graduation, I served as chairman of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (then NJC). Then came a decade of service as class secretary, followed by another decade of class president.  The Board of Directors claimed my time as I served as 25th Reunion chair of my class.  Each year I was an Annual Fund Aide, leading to Fund Agent and then as Co-Chair of the Annual Fund Phoneathon.

I could not resist spreading the word of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College when I founded the Douglass Club of New Hampshire, entertaining alumnae as well as prospective students from my adopted state. 

I also enjoyed working in the Woodlawn gardens to help beautify the campus, and when I became chair I would bring my four children to campus to help weed, dig, and transplant.  I feel this was partly the motivation to bring our eldest daughter, Dr. Wendy Walton Reichenbach '74, to experience the same fine education I had received. 

After over forty years of volunteer activity, I received the Margaret T. Corwin Award, the AADC's highest award for service.

When our four children finished college and graduate school, Bob and I decided to invest in an annuity to provide scholarships in this downsizing, outsourcing world where Dads are still losing jobs.  Besides having income tax advantages and providing needed support to students, the annuity provides a lifetime income to Bob and me. The advantage is so enhanced when we consider our gift is in perpetuity, extending beyond our lifetimes.

To give back to our colleges is the joy of our lives, which all began with our first date with Douglass, and we use our time, energy and resources to the best of our ability.

1/1/2008

Samuel and Irene Goldfarb

Giving back to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College and Rutgers College is a priority for Irene Dale Goldfarb '50 and Samuel Goldfarb (ENG '45). The two, who met at Rutgers more than 50 years ago, have always been active volunteer leaders at Douglass and Rutgers, as well as generous donors to the University they love.

Among their numerous activities, Irene and Samuel co-chaired the Colonel Henry Rutgers Society several years ago. Irene also was past Vice President of Administration for the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, and served as chair of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College and President of the Princeton Area Douglass Club. Both Irene and Samuel have made generous gifts to the annual funds and special funds of their respective schools over the years, and they each have made special bequests to the Associate Alumnae of Douglas College and Rutgers in their wills. Irene, a Certified Financial Planner, continues to serve the group that manages the AADC 's investments.

"I think part of my involvement is just a reflection of how important Douglass has been in my life, as well as a desire to pass what I received on to the next generation," says Irene, whose oldest daughter, Ruth Goldfarb Koizim '73, also graduated from Douglass.

Irene says she entered the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College as a shy young woman and emerged a wholly confident one. "At one time, I don't think I would have volunteered for anything on my own," she says. "But now, watch out, especially when I feel strongly about something!"

One thing Irene certainly feels strongly about is the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College. "Like most alumnae," she says, "I am passionate about the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College and its future. I think we are unique in higher education. We are a women's college within a major research University, yet we are fiercely independent.

"Wonderful things happen to you at Douglass," Irene adds. "You leave here with the feeling that you can do anything you want to do, as long as you are willing to undertake what is necessary to accomplish your goals."

1/1/2008

Wilma Harris, '66

"When I think of my mortality and what I'd like my legacy to be, I realize that decisions that I make now will impact the latter decades of the 21st century. The need for competent, educated women who embrace diversity, in its broadest context, will be even greater in the future than it is now, and where will a young woman be able to get the skills and knowledge for the challenge – the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College. So, as I review and revise my will, Douglass, and what it offers, remains one of my top priorities. Let me be remembered as a woman who cared about learning, who cared about personal growth, who cared about and for the young women who wanted a quality education." Wilma has made a planned gift to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College.

(Wilma received her BA in History in 1966. She has received the Alumnae Recognition Award, the Corwin Award, and has been inducted into The Douglass Society. She has recently retired from her position as Director of Human Resources for Prudential Financial.)

1/1/2008

Harriet Bauck Stewart '53 with Walter Muir Stewart

When we decided to sell my parents' home, which my sister and I had inherited, my husband Walt and I wanted to determine how to realize the greatest benefit from the income. After much consideration we thought our goal would best be achieved by establishing a charitable remainder unitrust to be used for student scholarships at our respective alma maters, the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. We had both been recipients of scholarships when we attended college in the 50's. Our parents had always emphasized the importance of education, and we both believe that our college educations have enriched our lives and enabled us to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for our family.

By establishing a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), we were able to reduce our federal income tax liability, help worthy students, and enjoy a small lifetime income from the investment of the gift. An endowment gift to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College through the Associate Alumnae is a win-win opportunity.

1/1/2008