A Legacy of Opportunity for Future Tommies

When members of the St. Thomas Legacy Society talk about why they have included the university in their estate plans, they often begin with what St. Thomas made possible in their own lives and what they hope to make possible in the lives of future Tommies.

Creating a shared experience

For Niels Sorensen, M.D. ’70, that means creating opportunities for students to experience the same kind of education that shaped him.

“My St. Thomas undergraduate education was a totally inspirational and motivational time in my life,” Sorensen said. That experience inspired him and his wife, Carol, to establish an endowed scholarship to help future students become “competent, complete and caring leaders as well as responsible citizens.”

Paying it forward

For Shaun (Leslie) ’94 and Rick Olson, investing in the future of St. Thomas is especially personal. Their daughter, Meeghan ’27, is a current Tommie, but their generosity extends to students who will arrive long after she graduates. After years of annual giving, Shaun said including St. Thomas in their estate plans felt like “a natural next step” in supporting future generations.

Legacy gifts like these make an impact across St. Thomas, opening doors through scholarships, supporting exceptional faculty and academic programs, and enriching the experiences that help students grow intellectually, personally and spiritually.

A commitment to faith and values

For Kris and Jim ’71 Smith, their support is rooted in the values of St. Thomas that endure even as the university has changed.

“We give because our education is what started us off so well, not just academically, but socially and spiritually, and we want that to continue for others,” they said. “It still has that warm, comfortable feeling and emphasis on the common good that has had such an impact on us.”

Be Brilliant. Be Bold. The Campaign for St. Thomas is an opportunity for alumni to consider joining the Legacy Society. Including St. Thomas in your will, as a beneficiary of a retirement account, trust or life insurance policy are ways to join your legacy to the mission and values of St. Thomas.

There are many options for legacy and estate gifts depending on your financial plans. Creating opportunities for students they may never meet and helping shape what a St. Thomas education can make possible for years to come.