Planned Giving Donor News
Learn about individuals who have made a lasting impact on Georgetown through their bequests, beneficiary designations, trusts, and more.
Some of the Best Years of My Life Were at Georgetown
Joseph Riggs, one of our esteemed alumni, comes from a family of farmers-six generations, in fact, who have farmed in southern Jersey since 1888-and wanted to help others. An aunt, who was a nun, insisted that he have a Catholic education. When the time came for college, it was decided that Joe would go to Georgetown. It was, according to his aunt, "the best Catholic college in America."
It was a choice that Joe never regretted. After College, he went on to the School of Medicine, then did a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He entered...
Dr. Valerie Earle "Rare Teacher" Influences Students and Georgetown
When Valerie Earle joined Georgetown University in 1955, the native Texan was a rare presence, figuratively and literally.
She was the first woman appointed to the liberal arts faculty at a time when Georgetown was, in her words, "primarily a school for boys...and the boys wore coats and ties to class." As a result, Father James Horigan, SJ, chairman of the Department of Government, felt compelled to accompany her to all of her classes at the beginning of her first year to introduce her and impart stern warnings to the "boys" to behave.
Robert P. Adelberg: Reflecting on Georgetown...
My last reunion was a reflective time to remember Georgetown and our life-forming experiences at our alma mater, to recall what we learned both in and out of the classroom. Fortune smiled to align us with outstanding faculty members, fellow students and staff. I am so grateful for these lifelong ties. We prepared a foundation which has served us well in facing life's challenges, joys and disappointments. Our legacy is truly "priceless."
My four years at Georgetown cost $7,000 including room, board and tuition and my junior year at U. of Fribourg, Switzerland. That $7,000 was, of course, in another monetary era. But we were always conscious of searching for ways to give back. The Legacy Society is part of our answer.
Audrey Doudt Establishes a Legacy Gift for the School of Nursing and Health
Audrey Doudt, a 1960 graduate of Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies, recently established a generous legacy gift at NHS. Her goal, she says, is to assist students who want to study abroad, but might not have the financial resources to do so otherwise.
"I had no idea that my wishes could be put into official words and that my goals were so in line with those of the School of Nursing & Health Studies."
It Doesn't Take Long To Make A Lasting Impression
Cathryn Girard was at Georgetown for only one semester. But that semester changed her life. Now she gives back by establishing a charitable gift annuity to benefit Georgetown.
Girard didn't realize that transferring into the theology class taught by Paul Cioffi, S.J., during her freshman year would change her life.
Alumnus Repays His Education Through Scholarship Fund
As a young boy growing up in Washington, D.C., Murray Hammerman, M.D. (M'60), thought medical school would be out of reach for him financially. "I grew up in D.C., in a single-parent household with four kids. We did not have any extra anything," Hammerman said.
But-seemingly out of nowhere-two successful, yet distant, uncles stepped in and covered the entire cost of his medical education at Georgetown. Seeking to give other young, bright students the same opportunity, Hammerman and his wife, Marilyn, have established two scholarship funds to support aspiring Georgetown medical student.
Founding Partner of Keller and Heckman Establishes Law Center Scholarship
Jerome H. Heckman (C'48, L'53) was a senior and founding partner of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Keller and Heckman. The firm has a broad practice in regulatory law, litigation and business transactions for over forty years.
And it's all partly because of pickles and prize money.
When Heckman began law school, tuition was $150 a semester. He had a wife and baby. To help make ends meet, he sold pickles for his uncle for $75 a week. It still wasn't enough.
James F. Henriot Likes Getting to the Top of Things
James F. Henriot, L '54, LLM '61, liked getting to the top of things. Specifically, the successful attorney was an avid mountaineer. He was the seventh American to climb Mt. Aconcagua (EL: 22,834 FT) in Argentina, and led the first American post-war expedition to Mt. Elbrus in Russia. He had climbed Mt. McKinley, the highest summit (EL: 20,320 FT) in North America; Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa; and many other notable peaks worldwide.
Love: Robert M. Flanagan (B’67) and Maurie McIntire Flanagan (N’68)
What makes Georgetown important for Maurie and me can be summed up in one word: Love. Love for our family, love for Georgetown, love for the people we met here.
Much of our lives are connected to Georgetown. My father graduated from the College in 1928. He was the only person in his family to go to college. Dad completed undergrad in three years, then graduated from the School of Medicine in 1930.