Whenever I am asked about the 1893 Society, my answer invariably includes the word “legacy.” Legacy is an important word that signifies a past generation reaching a future generation through a gift or a lesson. Legacy is about sharing your values with someone that you will never meet.

I am a part of the legacy of Ralph Parker. Ralph, a farmer from Fairfield, Montana, was a pioneer for agricultural cooperatives in Montana. He believed in education and had a passion for helping others. When Ralph passed away his family and friends joined together to memorialize Ralph with a scholarship. When I was a sophomore at MSU, I received the Ralph Parker Memorial Scholarship, which helped me afford a year of tuition. Though I never met Ralph, I met his wife Ethel and some of their children, and I will never forget their generosity. Because Ralph helped me to achieve my dreams, I am part of his legacy.

Through your generous planned gift in support of MSU, you are making the university that you love a part of your legacy as well. Estate gifts allow MSU to build for the future and continue to impact lives the way it has for the last 122 years. You are part of MSU’s legacy and generations of students will be a part of your legacy. What an inspiring gift you are making!

In Blue and Gold,

Tyler Wiltgen ’05, ’07 M Vice President of Estate, Trust and Gift Planning Montana State University Foundation

GREETINGS1893 SOCIETY MEMBERS

800-457-1696 PLANNEDGIVING@MSUAF.ORG MSUAF.ORG/PLANNEDGIVING

MAY 7–9Celebrating the classes of 1965, 1955 and 1945! msuaf.org/reunions

COMMENCEMENT REUNIONS

MAY 8A workshop from Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Estate Planning and Family Economics Specialist, in MSU’s Renne Library1:45–3:00 p.m.

FAMILIES, LEGACIES & ESTATE PLANNING

SAVE THE

OCTOBER 241893 Society appreciation event prior to the MSU v. E. Tennessee State football game

DATE

HOW SCHOLARSHIPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: MELISSA MAYO

Though she had harbored a strong interest in engineering in high school, it wasn’t until she was in Dr. Robin Gerlach’s biological engineering class at MSU that junior Melissa Mayo confirmed her passion for the field. With undergraduate research experience and a dual major in biological engineering and chemical engineering, Melissa is now looking at how she might pursue a career performing cancer research.

Because her father was a MSU graduate, Melissa was eligible to apply for the William J. Benjamin Legacy Scholarship. With the financial support this scholarship is providing, Melissa is charting a path at MSU that will place her at the forefront of her field by combining a challenging curriculum with undergraduate research opportunities.

Her focus on bioengineering is helping her pursue her dream to become a cancer researcher, using a combination of science and math to understand what is happening inside the body. With the financial backing to participate in undergraduate research, Melissa was able to work with researchers from several departments across campus to explore how nanotechnologies could bind a peptide to cancer cells engulfing immune cells, allowing for a targeted treatment.

“I am doing exactly what I wanted to do,” Melissa said about her academic experiences. “I love this!”

Her scholarship support has also enabled Melissa to become more involved in the campus community. As a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Melissa serves as the vice president for scholarship, helping fellow members with their academics. She also tutors student-athletes on campus at the Athletic Academic Center and participates in MSU’s Service Saturdays.

Without this scholarship, I don’t think I would have been able to do all of the things I wanted. I would not be able to double-major or follow my dreams as much as I have.

Melissa Mayo

THE WILLIAM J. BENJAMIN SCHOLARSHIP Established by William J. Benjamin as a bequest from his estate.

William Benjamin, a former resident of Roundup, Mont., graduated from Montana State in 1928 with a degree in mechanical engineering. With his degree, William went on to a successful career with Wisconsin Bell, but never forgot his roots. Through a bequest from his estate, the William J. Benjamin Scholarship established the Benjamin Fellowship for Ph.D. students in the College of Engineering and helped to launch the College of Engineering Legacy Scholarship Program to support students in the college who are children of MSU alumni. Since 2003, the William J. Benjamin Scholarship has funded scholarships and fellowships for 80 undergraduate and graduate engineering students.

BEQUESTS SUPPORT FUTURE GENERATIONS AT MONTANA STATE.

Bequests to the MSU Foundation are often included in the wills and estate plans of those who want to continue their support in the future and make the university part of their legacy. There are a number of simple ways to accomplish this goal:

¨¨ THE RESIDUE. You can provide that charitable gifts be made from what is left after all other gifts to loved ones have been fulfilled. Bequests to charity often appear in residuary clauses. Your attorney can help you decide if a residuary gift is right for you.

¨¨ A PERCENTAGE. You may decide to donate a percentage of your estate rather than a specific amount, thus ensuring that your charitable gifts remain in proportion to other bequests.

¨¨ SPECIFIC PROPERTY. You can designate that a particular asset, such as real estate, artwork or other valuables, be used to fund a charitable gift. Such a bequest should be worded carefully, as the assets you own may change over time. Designating the MSU Foundation as the beneficiary of a retirement account, a bank account or life insurance policy are simple, yet impactful ways to support your university.

¨¨ A SPECIFIC AMOUNT. You can designate a particular dollar amount to be transferred to the MSU Foundation.

Visit our website msuaf.org/plannedgiving to learn more. If you have any questions, please contact Tyler Wiltgen, Vice President of Estate, Trust and Gift Planning, at tyler.wiltgen@msuaf.org or 800-457-1696.

I am the first member of my family to graduate from college and since I graduated, many more family members have followed in my footsteps. Having an education has enabled both me and my wife to live one heck of a life. It’s important to both of us that now, we can give back a little of what we have received.

Gary Bishop MSU professor and 1893 Society member

P.O. BOX 172750, BOZEMAN, MT 59717-2750

SPRING 2015 NEWSLETTERVOLUME 2. ISSUE 1

2015 AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCEHONORING THE TOP 40 MSU SENIORS AND THEIR MENTORS. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015.