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Home » Alumni

Lasting Legacies

Chris Stump

"Growing up in a small farming community in southwest Missouri, I didn't know what college was all about, but I knew I was going to go. I worked my way through school and entered the workforce. Through hard work, I was able to build a nice nest egg. When circumstances were such that I needed a place for my assets after my lifetime, Northwest felt like a good fit. It makes me happy to know that my support of the American Dream Grant will assist students in obtaining a college education.

While in Maryville for an extended visit, Chris Stump enjoyed the beauty the Northwest campus provided for his daily walks. During one such outing, Chris visited with Northwest's President Dr. Dean L. Hubbard. Their discussion led to one of Northwest's top priorities - securing student scholarships. Chris was particularly intrigued by Northwest's needs-based financial aid initiative, the American Dream Grant.

Reminiscing about what it had taken him to finance his education, Chris made the decision to help those who might not otherwise have the means to attend college. Chris, a retired quality engineer who lives in Decatur, Ill., set up a provision in his estate plan to name Northwest as a beneficiary and directed his gift to the American Dream Grant.

Chris is hopeful that others also will choose to support the American Dream Grant with their planned or outright gifts. "Decide what you want to do, and then make it happen. Make your own sunshine," he said.

Thanks to the generosity of Chris Stump, many future students will be able to enjoy a sunny stroll through the Northwest campus.

One of the easiest planned gifts to create and implement is the will bequest. It allows you to give any percentage of your estate as a charitable gift when a current gift of real estate or cash might not otherwise be feasible.

Consider these advantages:

• You’re able to maintain control of your assets
• It provides a gift to Northwest in an amount you feel is appropriate, and you can still provide for your loved ones
• Estate tax deduction
• It’s simple to set up
• It provides for a cause you deem worthy at Northwest
• Includes membership in the James H. Lemon Heritage Society
• You leave a lasting legacy at Northwest

Contact the Northwest Foundation at advance@nwmissouri.edu or (660) 562-1248 to find out about the many advantages of providing an estate provision.