Giving back to Williams

Why should we want to give back to Williams? Each of us will have different answers. Many of us contributed to our 25th Reunion Gift; as we approach our 50th Reunion, it’s a good time to think back on our experiences in the Purple Valley, to remind ourselves of those aspects of that experience for which we feel gratitude, and to reflect on our roles in the future of the College.

* How did a true liberal arts education shape our personal, civic, and economic lives?

* Were we inspired to pursue a lifetime of learning?

* Do we have memories of close connections with one or two extraordinary professors or coaches that mentored us?

* Did we gain friendships that have lasted for decades?

We each benefited from the charity of generations of Ephs who came before us. It is now our turn to assure that future generations of Ephs will be able to benefit from the all the experiences a small liberal arts college, with a committed faculty and staff, can bestow on each of them for their personal betterment and for the betterment of the world they will impact when they leave the Purple Valley.  

What Williams priorities will The Class of 1971 50th Reunion Fund support?

Each Class, working closely with Williams administrators, investigates high-priority purposes which the class as a group might choose to support. A large group of our classmates have met with members of the college faculty and staff to determine areas in which we might have the greatest impact. As a result we’ve agreed that the Class of 1971 Reunion Fund will be focused on three goals:

• Supporting Student Summer Science Research

The College has a world class science program; a critical element is independent student research. For most science majors this requires intensive work with their professors over at least one summer. The Class of 1971 Summer Science Research Fund will support students who remain on campus to conduct that research. We hope this Fund will encourage students to undertake innovative and expansive projects and to consider careers in science that will improve our world. Click here for more information.

• Supporting Students Interested in Careers in Public Service

Many students who are interested in public service careers, either in government and in the non-profit organizations, would like to be able to explore that interest by taking internships, which are usually unpaid. The Class of 1971 Fund For Careers In Public Service will support summer internships, winter study internships, and certain on-campus activities. These internships will be administered by the college’s ’68 Center for Career Exploration and will be available to students regardless of academic major. We hope they will spur interest in government service and in non-profit careers, which might involve activities as diverse as health programs, food security, foreign affairs, and environmental protection. We also expect is will assist students doing academic research and will lead to serious consideration of a range of civic issues. Click here for more information.

• Supporting Student Scholarships

At the time of our 25^th Reunion we created and supported the Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund. In honor of the fact that we were the first class to graduate both men and women after the College had committed itself to coeducation, the fund was to support one female and one male student each year. Over those 25 years outstanding students have benefited from the fund. The cost of a college education has continued to climb and the College wishes to assure that no accepted student will decide not to come to Williams because of some unmet financial need. We hope to increase the Fund so that future generations of students will be able to attend our college. Click here for more information

We applaud all our classmates who make gifts to the College for these three purposes or for any other purpose they find meaningful, along with multi-year commitments to the Annual Fund, and will be grateful to each of them for their generosity and their commitment to the future of our College.

I’m planning my 50th Reunion Fund gift to Williams. What do I need to know?

Whether you’re thinking about making a new outright gift or a new planned gift to Williams, click here to review simple definitions and examples, and for resource people to contact when you have questions.   Many classmates at different giving levels have found it helpful to talk with the professionals at the Williams Office of Gift Planning . If you have initial questions about planned giving, you could contact Jock MacKinnon, our classmate who serves as Planned Giving Chair.   In the days ahead members of our Class will contact you to encourage you to return to the Reunion and to consider a gift to the College in gratitude for years at Williams. Please know your decision whether to make a gift or not will be kept in confidence. We do not wish anyone to be dissuaded from coming to the Reunion because they do feel they cannot make a gift to the College.

I’m ready to make my 50th Reunion Fund gift to Williams. What do I need to do?

When you’re ready to make your gift to Williams, click here  for guidelines and for resource people to contact when you have questions. The professionals in the Williams 50th Reunion Program and in the Office of Gift Planning can answer your questions.

How will my past gifts and my future pledges count?

Click here  to learn how your new 50th Reunion Fund Gift, plus all your gifts to Williams for any purpose, including gifts to the Annual Fund,  made during the ten-year period beginning after our 40th Reunion and ending before our 50th Reunion, plus your pledges for up to five years beyond our 50th Reunion… will all count toward your own 50th Reunion gift and toward our total 1971 Class Gift.