Your act of generosity,
our longevity
With planned giving, you can provide long-lasting support for Wittenberg University while enjoying financial benefits for yourself.
With planned giving, you can provide long-lasting support for Wittenberg University while enjoying financial benefits for yourself.
You may be looking for a way to make a significant gift to help further our mission. A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It is one of the most popular and flexible ways that you can support our cause.
You are at: Planned Giving > Gift Options > Donor Stories
Although they have lived in Arizona for many years, Wendell Lutz '66 and his wife, Nancy, frequently return to visit family, friends and the Wittenberg campus. Wendell Lutz, whose father was Arthur Lutz, the late professor emeritus of physics, is a current member of Wittenberg's Board of Directors. As Springfield natives, the Lutzes continue to remember their roots through regular support to Wittenberg.
In addition to their annual gifts to the university, the couple has established charitable remainder unitrusts, a scholarship, several endowed departmental funds and an estate commitment. "If I were asked to compile a list of donors to recognize as Wittenberg's 'poster children' for planned giving, Wendell might well be at the top of that list. His passion and commitment to Wittenberg run deep," says Rick Stenberg, executive director of gift planning. "Wendell feels strongly that those with the financial means to support their alma mater, regardless of the gift amount, should think seriously about giving backand Wendell and Nancy really do 'walk the talk.'"
A leader in cancer research, Lutz earned his B.S. in physics from Wittenberg and his Ph.D. in nuclear physics from Purdue. Because of his own experience as an undergraduate, he is acutely aware that having learning opportunities outside of the normal curriculum can be a valuable advantage; however, he also understands the budget limitations of the university.
Particularly close to Lutz's heart is the Dr. M. Paul Hagelberg Endowed Fund for Student Opportunities in Physics, a fund he and Nancy Lutz created to enable the physics department to provide expanded learning experiences.
The Hagelberg Fund provides awards to outstanding physics students to pursue student/faculty research projects, develop new laboratory experiments or attend workshops at national labs.
"The additional departmental support provided by the Hagelberg Fund fills an important need by funding opportunities that give Wittenberg's physics students an edge, better preparing them for grad school or a competitive job market," Lutz says. "Other academic departments have similar wish lists and also would welcome additional support. In particular, faculty/student research projects provide unique opportunities for Wittenberg students but are severely underfunded in all disciplines. I encourage my fellow alumni to look for ways they might make a difference at our alma mater, whether it be through supporting departmental awards, endowed scholarships or chairs, new buildings or renovations, or The Wittenberg Fund. More than at any other time, Wittenberg will depend on the generosity of its alumni."
Stenberg explains, "All of these [goals] can be accomplished either by making an outright gift or multiyear pledge; by entering into an income-producing charitable planned gift arrangement with Wittenberg; by naming the university as beneficiary of an insurance policy or retirement fund; or through an estate commitment."
"Utilizing life insurance as a planned gift to Wittenberg allowed me to accomplish two things: to honor my late husband, Dale B. Wade '62, by underwriting in his memory the furnishing of a classroom in the Kuss Science Center; and to considerably increase the value of my gift, exceeding that amount possible were this retired widow drawing solely on cash reserves and equities. And, as a bonus, should I be blessed with an especially long life, the cash value of the policy owned by Wittenberg will grow exponentially beyond its face value."
Janet Schwiebert Wade '62
"I love Wittenberg; my years as an undergrad provided lifelong friends and defined my life's course. Naming Wittenberg as beneficiary of an insurance policy offered another way to 'give back.' I can support The Wittenberg Fund and maintain Benjamin Prince Society membership during my lifetime with tax-deductible gifts equal to my annual insurance premiums, while also leaving a significant gift upon my death which can support a purpose I designate."
Milton O. Thompson '76, emeritus board member
"We found life insurance to be an excellent addition to our planned giving. It's a uniquely efficient and flexible way for us to give back to an institution which has given so much to us. An added benefit is the ability to structure our gift in a manner that enabled us to be certain our commitment would be fulfilled, but also provide the opportunity to leverage our investment in Wittenberg and create the potential for what could ultimately be an even greater contribution to its future."
Larry '70 and MAE '72 Chase
A charitable gift annuity is a great way you can make a gift to our organization and benefit. You transfer your cash or property to our organization and we promise to make fixed payments to you for life at a rate based on your age.
An IRA rollover allows people age 70½ and older to reduce their taxable income by making a gift directly from their IRA.
You are at: Planned Giving > Gift Options > Donor Stories