Donor Stories

Berry alumni share their 'happily ever after'
Berry alumni share their 'happily ever after'
When Elizabeth "Liza" Keith MacFarland (71c) walked into the Longhorn Steakhouse in Largo, Fla., after work one night in 2012, all...
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'Prankster' Rusty Bradley sings Berry's praises
'Prankster' Rusty Bradley sings Berry's praises
When "Rowdy" Rusty Bradley (71C) dressed head-to-toe in toilet paper and marched in the Ford quad with a group of male merrymakers...
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Planned Giving Council: Expertise Available To You
Planned Giving Council: Expertise Available To You
Glenn (71C) and Pam Priest (71C) Ferguson dreamed of lending a hand to deserving Berry students...
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Insuring the future (literally)
Insuring the future (literally)
Francy Jessup Geiger (78C) never thought she could afford to do something substantial for Berry students, but then she discovered a way...
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An Impossible Possibility
An Impossible Possibility
Taking advantage of two time-limited offers enabled John Kemp and wife Linda Kelso to do something in 2013 that they previously thought impossible...
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Good Sense
Good Sense
As a student at Berry, Eddie Fite (63C) was drawn to future wife Rosa (64C) the minute she arrived on campus in the summer of 1960. A half-century later, those same good instincts helped convince the couple to invest in a charitable gift annuity.
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Legacy at Work
Legacy at Work
Harry Wise (57H) had a strong belief in Berry's student work program and a willingness to contribute to its success in the future.
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No Time Like the Present
No Time Like the Present
John Hall (09C) understands the importance of a helping hand. Confined to a wheelchair since a 2003 high school cheerleading accident...
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Charitable Gift Annuity Guarantees Opportunity for Students
Charitable Gift Annuity Guarantees Opportunity for Students
When Betty Jane Taylor started looking for a unique way to honor her husband, a Berry College scholarship seemed the natural choice.
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Lighting the Lamp of Education
Lighting the Lamp of Education
In a career spanning more than 40 years, West excelled as a teacher in Georgia and Florida, winning Teacher of the Year honors in the Sunshine State.
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Dr. John R. Bertrand's Gift Helps Students
Dr. John R. Bertrand's Gift Helps Students
Even long after he retired, Berry College students had a special place in Dr. John R. Bertrand's heart, and he chose to show it in the most meaningful way possible.
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Widow Boosts Income and Helps Honor Late Husband
Widow Boosts Income and Helps Honor Late Husband
Virginia George has achieved two goals with one savvy investment decision: by establishing a charitable gift annuity at Berry, she has boosted her rate of return and has honored her late husband's memory in a way that would please him most.
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Honoring Dr. Mac
Honoring Dr. Mac
Berry's first physics professor, Dr. Lawrence E. McAllister, had a gift for encouraging his students to reach for the stars.
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Family Funds Gift with Life Insurance Policy
Family Funds Gift with Life Insurance Policy
When Don Fite (51H) returned home from Work Week several years ago, he had more on his mind than memories of good times spent with friends.
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Gift Examples

Fixed Income for Retirement
Fixed Income for Retirement
After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small rural town, Patricia was ready to retire.
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Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities.
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Sale and Unitrust
Sale and Unitrust
Gene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. Now, Gene and Carol are looking for a way to save taxes.
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The Retirement Unitrust
The Retirement Unitrust
Mary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she inherited the farm. Now, several developers would like to build homes on the farmland.
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Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
Lewis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially.
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Part Gift and Part Sale
Part Gift and Part Sale
Susan and Kevin bought their first home many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their children could spend their summers along the lake.
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Deferred Gift Annuity
Deferred Gift Annuity
Several years ago Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock. It turned out to be a very wise decision.
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Gift Annuity for Real Estate
Gift Annuity for Real Estate
Jonathan purchased a home many years ago for $80,000. The home has appreciated substantially over the years and is now worth $420,000.
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Leading for the Future
Leading for the Future
Luke and Candice spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
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Give it Twice Trust
Give it Twice Trust
While visiting the Wills Planner on her favorite charity's website, June, a surviving spouse, came across the idea of a Give it Twice Trust.
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Providing for Our Children's Future
Providing for Our Children's Future
Joe and Kathy worked for years building their nest egg for retirement. They also want to provide for their children.
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