GEIMAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM A Pathway to Potential
Western Colorado University is proud to announce the launch of the Geiman Scholars Program through a generous commitment of $6.6 million from Dave and Jeanne Geiman. “Dave, through his vision and generosity, has been a transforming figure at Western. First, his support has launched the Geiman Fellows, an immersive learning experience for Western students focused on global affairs that includes an international study trip, allowing students to further their learning abroad. And now, the Geiman Scholars Program will strengthen our valley by illuminating a pathway to a Western education for our most underserved students, making possible what might have seemed unreachable.” The Geiman Scholars Program will provide low-income, first-generation students who demonstrate academic potential and motivation in high school the opportunity to attend Western with their full cost of attendance covered. In addition to financial support, the heart of the Geiman Scholars is a mentoring experience that supports high school students as they learn about and prepare for a university education. The Geiman Scholars Program is being launched at Gunnison High School and Crested Butte Community School and currently has eight students in the first cohort. The next program application opened this fall, with participation beginning in 2024. Dave Geiman grew up on a farm in Virginia and received a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He later received his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. Dave has had a successful career in agriculture and now enjoys writing books and traveling. Dave became engaged with Western when a former professor invited him to visit him in Crested Butte. This professor was an adjunct faculty member at Western and connected with him through our School of Business. Dave and Jeanne reside in Kansas City.
“The Geiman Scholars Program creates a pathway for local students to reach their full potential and attain a Western degree.”
“Jeanne and I are really pleased to be able to do this. We are both first-generation college graduates and were guided and supported by mentors and advisors who knew more about the opportunities than we did,” says Dave. “We hope the program can do the same for students here and possibly further afield. Western is a unique and welcoming place that can make a huge difference in their lives.” There are multiple planned or deferred giving tools that can provide various tax-wise benefits. If you are interested in creating and/or sustaining a legacy through an estate gift, as Dave has done for the Geiman Scholars Program.
IRA Charitable Rollover… a tax-wise way to give! For those of you 70 ½ or older, you can give any amount (up to $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as the WCU Foundation without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value of $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit and gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference for Western Colorado University. This popular gift is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short. If you are interested in exploring this gift opportunity, please contact Ella Fahrlander, Assistant Vice President of Development at 970-943-2224 or efahrlander@western.edu. ELEVATEWESTERN.ORG
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