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The Crimson Legacy — Volume 10, Issue 2 UA Home The University of Alabama Copyright © 2005
RFSCO, All Rights Reserved |
Maybe You Can Too
Owen and Virginia Liles never thought they would be able to afford to fund a college scholarship. Both spent almost 30 years educating and encouraging children - she was an elementary teacher and he was a middle school principal. "We had such fun being educators," Virginia said. "Though it was hard work, it was rewarding in ways that money can't buy." Their dedication to educating young people continues to this day - 18 years after they both retired. After reading an article about another person of moderate means making a special gift to The University of Alabama, Owen began thinking about ways he and his wife could make a meaningful gift too. By working with a local accountant and the planned giving staff at the University, Owen and Virginia realized how they might have the means to make a significant gift to UA. By using mandatory distributions from their tax-sheltered annuity (TSA), they are able to award annual scholarships. In addition, UA is named as the beneficiary of their TSA, which will establish an endowed scholarship to support students working toward a master's degree in middle school education. "If we can do it," Virginia said, "anybody can do it." Owen believes that their scholarship at UA will encourage middle school educators to stay in the classroom instead of leaving to become principals or high school teachers. "The best thing I could do," Owen said, "is give middle school students a good set of parents. I can't do that, so the next best thing is to give them good teachers." Staying busy in retirement, Owen spends his time reading historical biographies, attending Rotary Club meetings, and cheering on the Crimson Tide. Virginia enjoys volunteering in the community, teaching Sunday School, and helping the American Red Cross, most notably with the Katrina relief effort. Like many supporters, they plan to leave the majority of their estate to their three children, but they were pleased to learn of ways they can include the University and other charitable interests in their plans as well. "Not only are all of our children supportive of our decision to include the University in our estate plans," Owen said, "they are actually encouraging us. One of them even said, 'Maybe I'll be able to do something like that, too.'" |
