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Fostering Resilience in Our Students

During times of great crisis, the NMSU Aggie family has consistently stepped up to ensure that future Aggie alumni succeed. More

The Value of Education

Richard Leza's mother, Corina, treasured education, and her legacy to her 10 children was an opportunity to pursue higher education. More

The Roots of Philanthropy

How far can the service, leadership and giving of one couple reach? In the case of Evelyn and Elwood "Buck" Waid, the answer is much like the roots of a strong tree—far, wide and across generations. See how the impact of their generosity continues to be felt by NMSU students, like Waid Scholar Ryan Salcido. More

When Loyalty Pays Off

Even from a young age, Derek Dictson knew he would be an Aggie at New Mexico State University. His pride for the institution grew during his father's more than 40-year career with NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service—a career for which Billy Dictson, a retired director, would eventually be honored by the New Mexico Association and the National Association of County Agriculture Agents Hall of Fame. More

The Key to Resiliency

Dr. Blanca Campa, '08 alumna of NMSU, credits teachers and professors in her life for inspiring her to continue investing in herself. She pledged in her estate plan to fund an NMSU endowed scholarship that rewards minority students transferring from any community college in the United States. More

The Perfect Match for NMSU

It all started with a $250 scholarship—one that would take an Aggie from first-generation college student in the 1960s to New Mexico State University System Chancellor by 2013. But that $250—or about $2,000 today—not only set this Aggie onto a course for personal success but, in turn, benefited the future of NMSU and communities across New Mexico with two leaders who understand the power of giving back. More

Professor Pays It Forward to Support Students and Educators

A professor's planned gift to the NMSU Teaching Academy is a deeply personal way to give back for the scholarship support she received as a student. More

Sustaining Public Media Builds a Strong Community

Susan Eidson has been a longtime supporter of public radio and says it helps her stay connected to her community. It's why she's giving back to KRWG (and NMSU) with a planned gift. More

A Legacy of Appreciation

1888 Society member Palmer "Jack" McCarter wants to tell stories about family when he talks about his legacy. He describes the achievements of his daughters and son, and the adventures that he had with his wife throughout the years. More

McIntosh Gift Honors Family's Commitment to Agriculture

When Kent and Anne McIntosh decided to retire after 45 years of farming in Kentucky, they checked out several locations but none of them felt "comfortable." More

Connie Lee Supports Her Love of Music

Connie Graham Lee first arrived in Las Cruces when she entered New Mexico State University in 1966 on a music scholarship. She played in both the university band and the orchestra while earning her degree in education. She was also a member of Chi Omega sorority and a student senator. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1970 and a master's in teaching in 1973 More

Papen Shows His Aggie Pride in Many Ways: Retired Banker Follows Uncle's Example to Strengthen NMSU

John A. Papen III was not really thinking about going to college. He started working in his uncle's bank while he was still in high school, so he felt he was "all set." However, both his father and uncle believed that a college education was important, and with New Mexico State University located right in John's hometown of Las Cruces, N.M., they felt he should take advantage of the opportunities the university offered. More

Jack and MaryLou Davis Have Strong Aggie Roots

Jack and MaryLou Davis met as students at New Mexico State University in the late 1960s. They share the belief that education is a vital tool no one can take away and say the education they received at NMSU contributed to the success they have enjoyed. "We learned from our parents the importance of sharing and giving back," MaryLou says. That philosophy inspires their strong support for the university. More

Rogers Honors Legendary Coach Presley Askew

Aggie coaching legend Presley Askew made such a lasting impression on one of his former players, Robert C. Rogers, that Robert set up an endowment in Askew's name to honor his former mentor and coach. More

Norma Fisher's Legacy Supports Scholarships

Norma Jean Fisher and her husband, Lester Dean, were born in Kansas but called New Mexico home for many years. This was one reason they decided to give the bulk of their estate to New Mexico State University, reinforcing their belief in the importance of a college education. More

Ermelinda Quintela's Double Remembrance

For a person who didn't think she wanted to attend college, Ermelinda Quintela has forged an amazing bond with New Mexico State University that goes beyond the four degrees she earned from the university. More

Family Tradition Inspires Generous Gift to NMSU

Lowell Catlett, dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, believes that the Nakayama family has always been one of New Mexico's agricultural treasures, and two new endowments established by Joe Nakayama will continue their outstanding agricultural legacy in perpetuity. More

New Endowments Enrich NMSU

Recent endowments from Elizabeth "Betty" Wichert and Mary and Bill Huey provide more for New Mexico State University. More

Alumnus Honors Former Work Associate With Scholarship at NMSU

For Charles and Geneva Huff, the gift they made to New Mexico State University in 2009 just keeps on giving—back to them. More

Tiny Faye Jones Leaves a Large Legacy

Tiny Faye Jones grew up in a family of eight children outside Floyd, N.M., where her family had moved in 1902 to homestead 160 acres. More

A Legend Lives on Through Endowment

Walter Lwowski, emeritus research professor in the department of chemistry at New Mexico State University, passed away in April 2010 at the age of 81. More

Endowments Create Lasting Legacies at NMSU

Honoring a loved one through an endowed fund at New Mexico State University creates a permanent legacy for that individual by supporting a program that had a special place in his or her life. More

Holcomb's Gifts Enrich Chemical Engineering Department

William Franklin (Bill) Holcomb, B.S. Chemical Engineering '60, has been a strong supporter of the Department of Chemical Engineering for many years. More

Azada Beatty Henry Plans for the Future

Azada Beatty Henry '45 has an enduring love for New Mexico State University. More

Gile Endowments Help Students Interested in Soil Sciences

The word "retirement" doesn't exist in Leland Gile's vocabulary. More

Friels Establish Charitable Trust for Athletics

Start a conversation with Bill and Lois Friel, and they will say, "We're not academics." They will quickly follow that with "We love New Mexico State University." Their love for the Aggie athletics program began not long after they arrived in Las Cruces in 1963. More

Carr Takes Advantage of the Many Ways to Give and Touches Many Lives

Elsie Raye Rigney Carr's family has been associated with this university for nearly a century. More

Cook Estate Enriches College of Agriculture and Home Economics

Jacqueline Cook wanted to make a difference when she decided to give the bulk of her estate to New Mexico State University. She had no academic connections to the university, but she loved animals-particularly horses and dogs. More

Frankie Clemons Has Many Legacies

For Frankie Clemons, retired assistant dean of the College of Business at New Mexico State University, it has always been about the students. More

Atkinson Gift Enriches Music Department

When F.E. Atkinson passed away in June 2007 at the age of 97, he included a major gift to the NMSU music department in his will. More

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the New Mexico State University Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to the New Mexico State University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at P.O. Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the NMSU Foundation or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support NMSU's mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the NMSU Foundation as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the NMSU Foundation as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the NMSU Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the NMSU Foundation and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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