Each donor to Endicott College has a unique reason for giving back. And among those donors, there are many different ways their gifts can be structured—each providing emotional and financial benefits that best fit a donor’s situation.
For three Endicott alumnae—Cathleen (Peterson) Macrelli MH’79 ’15 M’18, Paula Chandoha ’69, and Joan (Kruckel) Geoghegan ’53—giving back to Endicott through estate planning meant they could help ensure the things they love best about Endicott remain attainable for future generations.
Macrelli is a rare triple Gull, receiving a diploma from the Malden Hospital School of Nursing in 1979 and coming to Endicott’s campus after years working as a nurse to earn her bachelor’s in 2015 and master’s in 2018. Macrelli had her first experience with Endicott’s unique warmth when she called to find out more about the RN to BSN program and easily reached the dean directly.
“My immediate impression was, ‘Wow, I’m actually a person,’” Macrelli recalled. “I wasn’t a number, I wasn’t a piece of paper. It was personal, and I appreciated that. That was the reason I chose Endicott.”
Also drawn to Endicott’s commitment to a philosophy of experiential learning, Macrelli started classes and soon appreciated how welcomed she felt in the program.
“The experience I already had as a nurse was very validated,” she shared. “The professors were very smart, very experienced. It was a wonderful environment, and I had a blast.”
When Macrelli finished her master’s, she searched for an idea to show appreciation for her mentor and landed on dedicating a donation to the Malden Hospital School of Nursing Alumni (MHSNA) Scholarship Fund. She handed the check to the dean and went in to complete her capstone presentation, and by the time she left the classroom, the whole hallway was buzzing with excitement about her gift.
Since that first donation, Macrelli has continued to share her support of Endicott with other alumni, participating in Giving Day challenges and ultimately deciding, along with her husband, to set aside a portion of their estate to go to the MHSNA Scholarship Fund.
“I wanted to contribute to something that would ensure that nurses are educated in the way I was educated,” she said. “I feel that the standards at Endicott are so high, and I want that to continue. I’ve worked with a lot of Endicott grads and they’re good nurses. We believe in the program; it’s a well-rounded education.”
Continuing a family legacy
For Geoghegan, the idea of charitable giving goes back to her roots and is something she’s instilled in her grown children. As first-generation Americans, she and her brother were the first in their large family to attend college, and she feels strongly that others should have the same opportunity. Watching her grandchildren benefit from scholarship support helped cement Geoghegan’s interest in helping young people complete college degree programs.
While Geoghegan has fond memories of her time at Endicott, her strong connection later in life came through participation in the annual Florida Summit—every year Endicott alumni, parents, and community members gather and take part in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Naples, Fla.
A resident of nearby Punta Gorda, Geoghegan enjoyed the gatherings where she would meet interesting, inspiring people and learn all about the remarkable transformation Endicott was undergoing from the place she had known.
“What Endicott was doing was fabulous,” she said. “I was impressed.”
Geoghegan takes pride in knowing the donations she has made and planned for will be helping students pay for their college education.
“I always felt grateful that my father had a good job that allowed me to go to school,” she shared. “It suits me just fine to use my savings to help kids who may not be able to afford college.”
Learning about the importance of participation
It was a trip back to the Endicott campus for her 40th Reunion that opened Chandoha’s eyes to the world of giving back to her alma mater.
“My classmate wrote me a note and said that Endicott was now really different than when we were there, and encouraged me to visit,” Chandoha recalled. “On campus, we spoke of the significance of participation in giving—that it’s the participation that’s important to Endicott, and that every donation amount counts. That was a huge door-opener for me: when I realized every gift has a positive impact on a student.”
Inspired by the work Endicott was doing, Chandoha donated to the emergency scholarship fund, joined the Alumni Council, and later started the Paula Chandoha ’69 Family Scholarship for arts and sciences majors.
“Giving is a connection, and I enjoy meeting the students,” shared Chandoha. “What may seem like a modest amount of money can still make a difference for someone to stay at Endicott and continue their education.”
By starting a dedicated scholarship, Chandoha feels she is contributing to the institution she loves and creating scholarships with longevity to help students.
“Endicott is near and dear to my heart, and I’m happy for everyone who goes to school here,” she said. “Students are engaged and interested, and I see an administration who looks out for them. I’m inspired that a student may benefit from my donation and that they would be able to complete their studies.”
With gifts like Chandoha’s, this future is possible for more students in need of scholarship assistance, and Endicott continues to thrive as a higher education trailblazer with a committed community of supporters.
What is Planned Giving?
Planned giving offers a structured, pre-determined opportunity to give to a nonprofit as part of your will, trust, retirement plan, or life insurance policy. Estate and life income gifts allow the College to better plan for long-term scholarship and campaign fundraising, creating a permanent legacy for you and your family as part of the College’s security and prosperity. These types of gifts may also offer unique tax benefits, such as exemption from estate or capital gains taxes.
Whether your inspiration comes from being a part of a community, helping students achieve their dreams, or helping Endicott continue doing work you admire, planned giving offers a chance to be engaged in something bigger than individual philanthropy. Donors who add Endicott into their estate planning become members of the Legacy Society, some of the most transformational supporters of our community.
Interested in learning more? Visit Plan My Legacy or call Taylor Dunn, Assistant Vice President, Campaign Director, at 978-232-2414.
