georgetown university | winter 2025
giving.georgetown.edu/planned-giving
Toni Eldridge Wilkes, M.D. (C’78), and David S. Wilkes, M.D., pictured in New Zealand, share a love of travel and have explored all seven continents.
For Toni Eldridge Wilkes, M.D. (C’78), life has always revolved around science. Growing up in Philadelphia, her passion for the sciences motivated her to excel and led to the success she would achieve at Georgetown and beyond. These days, Toni is motivated by another passion—to support first-generation students and give back to the university that gave her the confidence and foundation for her achievements.
As the first in her family to attend college, Toni found the process daunting. Seeking a strong science program with a solid reputation, close to home but outside Pennsylvania, she discovered Georgetown with the help of a neighbor.
Toni participated in the Georgetown Community Scholars Program (CSP), which supports first-generation students with an academic summer session before first year to ease the transition to college. The program reflects Georgetown’s commitment to access and affordability, offering enhanced opportunities for a diverse cohort of students.
CSP introduced Toni to the late Rev. Royden B. Davis, S.J., her academic mentor. She credits him for much of her success, as he encouraged her to major in Biology, connected her to research at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and was the first to suggest a career in medicine.
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The beginning of the year is a natural time to be both reflective and forward looking. 2025 is shaping up to be a very important year—both for Georgetown as we begin the search for new leadership after President DeGioia’s 23 years of service, and for potential tax reform with the expiration at the end of the year of many of the provisions for individuals.
As we consider all the things we have to be grateful for and our intentions for 2025, revisiting or starting your estate planning may be on your to-do list. We hope the information in this newsletter will be helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Planned Giving as a resource.
Recognizing that there are many worthwhile causes, Georgetown thanks you for your continued engagement and commitment, which makes it possible to stay true to our mission to bring forward the intellectual, spiritual, and institutional resources in the formation of our students, the inquiry of our faculty, and our commitment to the common good.
Wishing you much happiness and good health in the coming new year.
Mindy Siebenaler Bopp, J.D., LL.M (L’20) Executive Director of Planned Giving & Senior Philanthropic Advisor 202-687-6778
mls300@georgetown.edu
As a first-generation student, Toni knew the Georgetown experience would be challenging. “I knew it would be a hard path, and I knew I would need to work even harder to achieve my goals,” she says. In addition to scholarship support, Toni also worked at the hospital and the student cafeteria, which didn’t leave a lot of time for the social aspects of college.
At her graduation in 1978, Toni received the Louis McCahill Award from the College of Arts & Sciences, recognizing her perseverance and determination in pursuing her education. She credits Rev. Davis for this honor. The award and her Georgetown experience reinforced the lifelong importance of hard work and perseverance. “No matter how modest your means, just keep working hard and don’t give up,” she says.
After Georgetown, Toni earned her M.D. from Temple University, where she met her husband, David Wilkes, M.D. Toni practiced as an OB/GYN, serving low-income patients before building a successful private practice. Both chose careers that allowed them to give back to their communities. David pursued research and later served as associate dean at Indiana University School of Medicine and dean at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
Toni and David have included a bequest for Georgetown in their estate planning. “I never thought in a million years I would be able to give back to the institution that gave me so much, but that is what I am doing—and what one should do.”
The gift will create the Toni Eldridge Wilkes, M.D. (C’78) and David S. Wilkes, M.D. Endowed Scholarship Fund to support undergraduates in the College studying the sciences, focusing on students enrolled in the Regents STEM Scholars Program (RSSP), which addresses the shortage of first-generation college students who successfully complete degrees in STEM fields. Toni wanted to start awarding the scholarship as soon as possible, so she and David also made an outright commitment using an IRA QCD, which will allow them to meet the students benefiting from their scholarship and see first-hand the impact of their philanthropy. Their bequest will add to the scholarship in the future and create a lasting legacy at Georgetown for Toni and David.
“My wish is to see other students like me achieve great things,” says Toni. “It can and will happen at Georgetown. It happened to me, and that’s why I feel strongly about making this gift.”
Considered the science wing of CSP and a sibling of Georgetown Scholars Program (GSP), RSSP builds off of the existing Georgetown programs. RSSP addresses the critical shortage of underserved and first-generation college students who successfully complete degrees in STEM fields. The program strengthens the pipeline for attracting diverse faculty to Georgetown and provides structure and support for science-focused students through unique coursework, research opportunities, mentoring, and funding to support their ambitions.
April 3–6, 2025
John Carroll Weekend Philadelphia
May 30–June 1, 2025
Class of 1975’s 50th Reunion, and undergraduate reunions for Magis, 1965, 1970, 1980, et al.
October 3–5, 2025
Georgetown Law Reunion
November 7–9, 2025
Georgetown Medical Center Reunion
Since 1970, Lauinger Library has served as Georgetown University’s flagship library—advancing research and learning, and fostering intellectual collaboration at Georgetown. “Lau,” as it is referred to by students and alumni, stands out for its iconic profile along the Potomac River. In recent years, fundamental changes have occurred in how knowledge is produced, communicated, and acquired. These changes have significantly impacted library collections, services, spaces, and staffing—and users’ expectations of them.
To ensure that Lauinger Library continues to meet the evolving needs of the Georgetown community, the university will be redesigning the Pierce Reading Room, located on the third floor, in order to open up the library physically and functionally by prioritizing flexible, technology-enhanced learning spaces and small group collaboration rooms. A reimagined Lau will serve as a 21st century hub of inquiry, teamwork, and creation, bringing students and faculty together to explore rigorous research questions and showcase new knowledge.
The Georgetown Scholars Program (GSP) and the Community Scholars Program (CSP) work together to provide programmatic support for high-achieving students from a first-generation and low-income background throughout their time at Georgetown, helping them navigate the higher education experience from start to finish.
GSP students proudly hold a 94% graduation rate compared to a 26% national rate for first-generation students at other schools. The program has served over 2,700 students since its founding in
2004 and serves as a model throughout higher education. GSP assists students in four key ways: mentorship opportunities, community building, financial assistance, and advocacy work. Georgetown’s original student support program, CSP, has led our efforts to promote social justice for over 50 years by providing enhanced educational opportunities and support for a multicultural cohort of first-generation college students who have achieved the dream of higher education through personal initiative, service, and academic excellence. For students like Dr. Toni Eldridge Wilkes (C’78), the CSP experience begins with a five-week academic summer program before first year, designed to aid their transition to higher education. They take classes for credit, attend orientation workshops, and begin forming bonds with one another, teachers, and administrators that will help sustain them through college. The program continues to support students throughout their time at Georgetown with academic advising, mentoring and personal counseling, study groups, workshops, and seminars.
Together, these two programs offer wraparound support to help students find success and thrive at Georgetown, which can seem especially daunting for first-generation students. Both CSP and GSP exemplify Georgetown’s Jesuit values and continued commitment to cura personalis.
By including a gift to Georgetown as part of your legacy, you are continuing a tradition of educating young people to act in the service of others. Below are two impactful ways to support Georgetown that may also have significant tax benefits.
Creating a revocable bequest gift in your will or trust allows you to help ensure the future of the university while providing flexibility in case your circumstances change in the future. Bequests can be designated to a school or program at Georgetown you feel passionately about, or can be left unrestricted and put to use where needed most.
If you are 70½ and older, you can direct up to $108,000 to Georgetown this year from an IRA using a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). These distributions avoid income tax and count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (applicable if you are 73+) with the added benefit of supporting a Georgetown school or program that is meaningful to you. Learn how to make your IRA QCD gift at https://g.town/ira-qcd.
If you are interested in learning more about making a gift using an IRA QCD, or to request a customized CGA or CRT illustration, please contact the Office of Planned Giving at 800-347-8067 or plannedgiving@georgetown.edu.
Another simple way to leave a legacy is by naming Georgetown as the beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or brokerage account. Leaving a retirement account to an individual may decrease the gift by as much as 70% after taxes are deducted. Due to Georgetown’s nonprofit status, we can realize the full value of gifts from retirement accounts, allowing you to leave other assets to loved ones while avoiding tax and maximizing your impact to a school or program that is meaningful to you.
Individuals who are 70½ and older can use up to $54,000 from an IRA to fund a new charitable gift annuity (CGA). CGAs pay you (and/or a spouse) income for life while also leaving a gift for Georgetown in the future. Higher interest rates make CGAs even more attractive due to the increased payout rates (based on the age of the beneficiary). The current rate at age 70 is 6.3%, and 8.1% at age 80. With more interest rate cuts on the horizon, now may be a good time to lock in a higher payout CGA.
CGAs can also be created outside the IRA option using cash or appreciated securities of $10,000 or more, which may provide added tax benefits like avoiding capital gains tax. If you are interested in learning more about a CGA for Georgetown, or to request a customized CGA illustration, please contact the Office of Planned Giving at 800-347-8067 or plannedgiving@georgetown.edu.
Creating Your Legacy is an informative estate planning guide made for Hoyas. It includes the elements of an estate plan, steps to start the planning process, and ideas on incorporating charitable giving into your planning. Please scan the QR code, return the response card, or contact the Office of Planned Giving for your complimentary copy.
Scan the QR Code here or go to g.town/create-your-legacy to request your free copy.