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The Roots of Philanthropy

Buck and Evelyn Waid

True partners, Buck and Evelyn Waid stand together in celebration as Buck is honored for his Air Force service.

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.

Buck and Evelyn’s generosity toward New Mexico State University and the Las Cruces community was evident during their lives and, through their estate gift to the NMSU Foundation, continues now and into the future.

Their history with NMSU began when Buck, a colonel in the Air Force, joined the campus faculty as the Air Force ROTC commander, a position he held from 1968 to 1970.

This was just the beginning. In addition to earning his master’s degree in psychology in 1970 and teaching as a professor of military science and aerospace studies, Buck was a vital member of several administrative teams that shaped NMSU as we know it today. As part of the Administrative Council under President Gerald Thomas in the 1970s and 80s, he led efforts on long-term planning for agriculture and energy research.

Buck made an impression on many at the university—students and administrators alike. This included Tommy Crawford, a former ROTC cadet who became a major general in the Air Force. In 2008, Tommy and his wife, Judith, established the Colonel Elwood J. Buck Waid Scholarship in Buck’s honor to support Air Force ROTC students. With this gift, the roots of the Waids’ Aggie family tree extended and the support system for students at NMSU grew stronger.

While Buck focused on campus initiatives, Evelyn gave her time and talents to the Las Cruces community. She volunteered with the Red Cross, including a leadership role on a project to bring “talking books”—literature on vinyl records—to homebound patients across the city. She was also a member and officer of the University Park Women’s Golf Association, serving as president in 1970 and frequently appearing in the Las Cruces Sun News for first place rankings in local golf tournaments.

Founded in 2014 with their first living trust gift distribution and extended through more estate gifts this year, the Buck and Evelyn Waid Endowed Academic Scholarship helps undergraduate students across colleges pursue their degree at NMSU. Any student with a declared major and a 3.0 GPA is eligible, and some of the recent recipients include students studying engineering, education and agriculture, like Waid Scholar Ryan Salcido.

The legacy of philanthropy started by Buck and Evelyn continues to extend, like tree roots, through the NMSU community and beyond. The impact of their giving has taken wonderful twists and turns and is sure to continue to grow as the students they support graduate and give their own service, leadership and philanthropy back to the communities they love.

You, like Buck and Evelyn, can create a legacy at NMSU by becoming a member of The 1888 Society. Contact Steven Covington at (575) 646-3190 or (800) 342-6678 or plannedgiving@nmsufoundation.org to learn 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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