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Carol Menchel Vernice Churc h 1961 Co-chairs with a plan
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embers of the Class of 1961 are hard at work planning their 50th Reunion. Already, class co-chairs Carol Menchel and Vernice Church have reached out to fellow classmates to begin planning their celebration. They’re hoping for a rousing response from classmates as they work to shape their golden reunion. As class leaders, both have expressed their individual desire to honor and celebrate their days at Potsdam through personal giving while recognizing the importance of private support to the future of Potsdam. Both provide on-going annual leadership giving to the College and have named the Potsdam College Foundation a beneficiary in their wills. Their planned gifts ensure their philanthropy and stewardship of alma mater will continue. Their membership in the Benjamin F. Raymond Society ensures their generosity and thoughtful planning will never be forgotten. “Our 50th Reunion is a time to celebrate, and we want it to be exciting,” said Menchel. “It was important to Vernice and me to build anticipation among classmates – it’s not too early to begin planning and giving. “Potsdam provided me with a wonderful education and experience,” she added. “While I did not remain in the field of music after graduation, the level of music I learned has remained with me to this day. The inclusion of Potsdam in my will made sense. I am glad to know my gift will support The Crane School of Music.” Not one to wait, Church chose to make a significant gift in recognition of her 50th Reunion this year. As a result of her gift, she established the Vernice Ives Church ’61 Scholarship, which will provide financial support to Potsdam elementary education
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POTSDAM PEOPLE SPR I NG 2008
majors beginning in the fall semester. “Potsdam provided me with a solid foundation for teaching elementary school. When I was a student, we did not have to pay for tuition,” she said. “I never forgot this.” These days it is difficult to imagine that tuition at the College was free. For students today, leaving College means an average debt of $17,000. On a teacher’s starting salary that is a lot to bear. “Endowing this scholarship provides me with the opportunity to assist students with their tuition costs. I want students to know that a higher education is possible. I also believe it is important to train topnotch elementary education students, and Potsdam is the perfect place for that to happen,” Church said. Both know their gifts will have a lasting impact upon Potsdam. They hope too that their giving will inspire others to give what they can as well. They’re quick to point out it is simple to name the College a beneficiary in your will, trust, IRA or life insurance policy-adding, if each of us left the College something, the collective impact it would have on students is enormous. For more information on upcoming reunions or for more information on how to make a gift in support of your Reunion, please contact the Office of College Advancement at (315) 267-2190. A complete Class of 1961 Committee list can be found in Class Notes. Join Carol and Vernice in the BFR at www.potsdam.edu/advance/giftplan or contact Jason Ladouceur, associate vice president for college advancement, directly at (315) 267-2123 or giftplan@ potsdam.edu.