Frances Dunbar

Frances Dunbar was a physics major who built a career as an Electrical Engineer for over 38 years with AT&T. She was “brilliant, amazingly capable, and unfailingly constant.” An expert on ecology, birds, gardening, sewing, gourmet cooking, travel – on anything that sparked her interest – her curiosity about the world was boundless.

Frances was active with the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC) and served her class as president, fund agent, secretary, and as chair of the Leaders Conference and the Awards Committee. On her death Frances left a substantial trust to provide annual income to the AADC so that future Douglass women could reap life benefits, as she did, from her education here.

Establishing a trust is one way to benefit Douglass students and the college. Planned gifts of any size, such as bequests by will or gifts of other assets including retirement funds, insurance, or property, are also welcome by the “Associate Alumnae of Douglass College for The Douglass Fund” – correct wording for any such gifts.

Ann Philman Neupauer

Ann Pihlman Neupauer ’31 was a Home Economics major and after graduation she returned to Jersey City where she taught at Snyder High School. Aware of the needs of many high school students for funds to attend college, Ann provided a bequest of over $1 million to endow a scholarship fund for young women who want to come to Douglass College.

Ann’s gift was our first alumna bequest of $1 million, but you don’t have to be a millionaire to provide scholarships for current and future students. Bequests or other planned gifts of any size can be made to our general scholarship fund, or a named, endowed fund can be established for $25,000 or more.

Frances Bradley L'Hommedieu

A devoted alumna, Frances was involved in alumnae activities and committed to helping current students. She created a trust that endowed a Special Opportunity Fund, a Science Scholarship Fund, a Community College Graduate Scholarship, and the annual L’Hommedieu Lecture. Each year since then her generosity has enriched students, alumnae, and the community with speakers like Jane Goodall, Frank McCourt, and Anna Quindlen. Over 250 women have benefited from her endowed scholarship and special needs funds.

Madeleine Schetty

An active and devoted alumna, Madeleine was president of the class of 1927, a member and treasurer of the AADC Board, and recipient of the Alumnae Recognition Award. She was a generous donor to the Douglass Annual Fund and bequeathed her estate to The Douglass Fund as an unrestricted endowment. Thanks to Madeleine’s generosity, additional needed support will be possible for a new lecture program, the Douglass Project for Women in Math, Science, and Engineering, “Shaping a Life”, PLEN, and student recruitment.

Carrol Hirsch

Carrol was a French major and Phi Beta Kappa member at NJC. In her own words, her experience here contributed to “engendering tolerance, patience, and understanding of the other person’s point of view, increasing facility in living with others and sharing with them, fostering of self-reliance and freedom from dependence on my immediate family or closest friends in formulation of my own philosophy.”

On her death Carrol left a substantial trust to provide annual income to the AADC so that future Douglass women could reap life benefits, as she did, from her education here.

Establishing a trust is one way to benefit our students and the college. Planned gifts of any size, such as bequests by will or gifts of other assets including retirement funds, insurance, or property, are also welcome by the “Associate Alumnae of Douglass College for The Douglass Fund” – the correct wording for any such gifts.

Audrey Brown Walton and Robert Walton

Audrey Brown Walton and Robert Walton
Our date with Douglass began over 70 years ago at Douglass and Rutgers Colleges as entering freshmen, Audrey Brown Walton DC '38 and Robert Walton RC '38 and Ph.D. Times were hard back in the thirties; there were no scholarships for us, and my Dad had just lost his job.

Since that time, our lives have been inextricably entwined as volunteer leaders and donors to our beloved university. Over the years, we have made generous gifts to the annual and special funds of our schools in loving tributes. 

Soon after graduation, I served as chairman of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Douglass College (then NJC). Then came a decade of service as class secretary, followed by another decade of class president.  The Board of Directors claimed my time as I served as 25th Reunion chair of my class.  Each year I was an Annual Fund Aide, leading to Fund Agent and then as Co-Chair of the Annual Fund Phoneathon.

I could not resist spreading the word of Douglass College when I founded the Douglass Club of New Hampshire, entertaining alumnae as well as prospective students from my adopted state. 

I also enjoyed working in the Woodlawn gardens to help beautify the campus, and when I became chair I would bring my four children to campus to help weed, dig, and transplant.  I feel this was partly the motivation to bring our eldest daughter, Dr. Wendy Walton Reichenbach '74, to experience the same fine education I had received. 

After over forty years of volunteer activity, I received the Margaret T. Corwin Award, the AADC's highest award for service.

When our four children finished college and graduate school, Bob and I decided to invest in a charitable gift annuity to provide scholarships in this downsizing, outsourcing world where Dads are still losing jobs.  Besides having income tax advantages and providing needed support to students, the annuity provides a lifetime income to Bob and me. The advantage is so enhanced when we consider our gift is in perpetuity, extending beyond our lifetimes.

To give back to our colleges is the joy of our lives, which all began with our first date with Douglass, and we use our time, energy and resources to the best of our ability.

Samuel and Irene Goldfarb

Giving back to Douglass College and Rutgers College is a priority for Irene Dale Goldfarb '50 and Samuel Goldfarb (ENG '45). The two, who met at Rutgers more than 50 years ago, have always been active volunteer leaders at Douglass and Rutgers, as well as generous donors to the University they love.

Among their numerous activities, Irene and Samuel co-chaired the Colonel Henry Rutgers Society several years ago. Irene also was past Vice President of Administration for the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College, and served as chair of the Douglass Annual Fund and President of the Princeton Area Douglass Club. Both Irene and Samuel have made generous gifts to the annual funds and special funds of their respective schools over the years, and they each have made special bequests to Douglass and Rutgers in their wills. Irene, a Certified Financial Planner, continues to serve the group that manages Douglass's investments.

"I think part of my involvement is just a reflection of how important Douglass has been in my life, as well as a desire to pass what I received on to the next generation," says Irene, whose oldest daughter, Ruth Goldfarb Koizim '73, also graduated from Douglass.

Irene says she entered Douglass College as a shy young woman and emerged a wholly confident one. "At one time, I don't think I would have volunteered for anything on my own," she says. "But now, watch out, especially when I feel strongly about something!"

One thing Irene certainly feels strongly about is Douglass College. "Like most alumnae," she says, "I am passionate about Douglass College and its future. I think we are unique in higher education. We are a women's college within a major research University, yet we are fiercely independent.

"Wonderful things happen to you at Douglass," Irene adds. "You leave here with the feeling that you can do anything you want to do, as long as you are willing to undertake what is necessary to accomplish your goals."

Thomas Weber with Douglass alumna Harveen Sethi '95

"If you have a cause you really believe in, like the mission of Douglass College, a charitable gift annuity is an excellent way to provide support. Besides income tax advantages, it supplies you with a lifetime income, based on attractive interest rates that are higher for a more elderly donor. But I think the really best return on that investment is the knowledge that your gift will be working toward your designated goal beyond your own lifetime, and in that wonderful way extends the reach of your giving."

Thomas Weber, Professor of History emeritus
Douglass College, Rutgers University

Professor Weber recently passed away on September 10, 2006.

Wilma Harris, '66

"When I think of my mortality and what I'd like my legacy to be, I realize that decisions that I make now will impact the latter decades of the 21st century. The need for competent, educated women who embrace diversity, in its broadest context, will be even greater in the future than it is now, and where will a young woman be able to get the skills and knowledge for the challenge – Douglass College. So, as I review and revise my will, Douglass, and what it offers, remains one of my top priorities. Let me be remembered as a woman who cared about learning, who cared about personal growth, who cared about and for the young women who wanted a quality education."

(Wilma received her BA in History in 1966. She has received the Alumnae Recognition Award, the Corwin Award, and has been inducted into The Douglass Society. She is currently Director of Human Resources for Prudential Financial.)

Harriet Bauck Stewart '53 with Walter Muir Stewart

When we decided to sell my parents' home, which my sister and I had inherited, my husband Walt and I wanted to determine how to realize the greatest benefit from the income. After much consideration we thought our goal would best be achieved by establishing a charitable remainder unitrust to be used for student scholarships at our respective alma maters, Douglass College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. We had both been recipients of scholarships when we attended college in the 50's. Our parents had always emphasized the importance of education, and we both believe that our college educations have enriched our lives and enabled us to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for our family.

By establishing a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), we were able to reduce our federal income tax liability, help worthy students, and enjoy a small lifetime income from the investment of the gift. An endowment gift to Douglass College through the Associate Alumnae is a win-win opportunity.

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