University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
The Messenger
Vol. 5, No. 1/1995
Recognition: A Special Report
The Benefits Of Planned Giving

     The photograph at right brings back happy memories for
Robert R. Vennum, Delaware '33. Vennum and his former UD
classmates stand beside the late Robert L. Spencer, dean of the
then School of Engineering from 1928 to 1945. It was Dean Spencer
who helped launch Vennum's career in mechanical engineering, by
suggesting a job as assistant to the plant engineer at the
Continental Diamond Fiber Co. in Newark.
     In recognition of Dean Spencer, the Sigma Nu Fraternity, the
1933 Blue Hen yearbook staff, fellow Review writers and all his
pleasant memories from those years, Vennum recently pledged a
significant gift to the University. Known as a "life-income gift
arrangement," the contribution of $450,000 in appreciated
securities will be carefully managed by the University to benefit
future students, while also providing Vennum with an income
stream for life, plus a charitable tax deduction.
     Vennum's generous gift is only one example of a planned
gift. Those who wish to support University students through
scholarships and other programs may select a variety of options
for planned giving, reports Paula M. Tilmon, Esq., director of
trusts and estates in the Office of University Development.
Donors can remember the University in their wills, for example.
Or, like Vennum, they may choose to arrange a life-income gift.
     In this way, a gift may return lifetime dividends to the
donor or to anyone else designated by the donor. A $2 million
life-income gift arranged by the late Clara Harrington Stradley
of Milford, Del., will endow a scholarship fund for nursing
students. Initially, however, income will be provided for life to
Clara's sister and brother. Remaining funds will be transferred
to the University after they are no longer needed by Mrs.
Stradley's siblings.
     Nearly $2 million in matured bequests also was received
during F.Y. 1994-95 because of alumni and friends who included
the University in their wills, according to Tilmon. Bequests this
year included gifts from the following donors:
     Robert J. Barkley, Delaware '19, unrestricted support;
     Paul E. Becker Jr., Delaware '66M, gift to benefit the
Professional Theatre Training Program and the music department;
     David I. Betts, scholarship support;
     A. Leslie Calloway, Delaware '26, art scholarships;
     A. Lee Ellis, Delaware 1893, unrestricted support;
     Lois F. Flowers, Delaware '58M, unrestricted support;
     Virginia L. Franklin, support for the College of Nursing;
     Claudia M. Horsey, support for the Horsey-Wolfe Scholarship
Fund, which benefits students from Newark High School as well as 
from Kent and Sussex counties;
     Frederick A. Keidel, support for the geology department;
     Leah R. Lord, gift to the Henry Clay Reed Fund in history;
     Mae M. Loudis, support for the Anthony Loudis Fund in the
music department;
     Sara M. MacNair, Delaware '26, gift to the Morris Library;
     Thomas S. Molyneux, support for the Thomas W. Molyneux Fund
in the English department;
     James W. Nichols, Delaware '35, unrestricted support;
     Gladys D. Roscoe, Delaware '52, unrestricted support; and
     Jane Crane Straughn, Delaware '53, gift for the Mary Custis
Straughn Endowment, to provide a broad range of assistance to
students with disabilities.