Donor Stories Archive 2015

November 2015

In the mid-2000’s Lois inherited stock from her aunt which was soon to be sold to a much larger company. Wanting to avoid the capital gains tax, she made a decision to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity at Dominican University. Lois avoided paying capital gains on the donated stock and by making a charitable gift, she received a partial tax deduction during the year in which her gift was made and receives a guaranteed income stream for the remainder of her life.

“This was an opportunity to make a major gift to my alma mater, receive a tax deduction, and an excellent stream of income from Dominican. It was a perfect gift vehicle for me at the time.” Born on October 29, 1929, Lois MacDonald Simms ’51 grew up on Chicago’s Northwest side in a close-knit family that included her parents, Donald and Theresa, and her younger brother, Donald. Her mother’s sisters, Hattie and Alice, and brother, Frank, lived nearby. Being a child of The Great Depression, Lois remembers her father being out of work for years, and her mother scrimping and saving to buy a loaf of bread. Despite their difficulties, she never felt deprived. She was educated by the Benedictines at St. Hilary and St. Scholastica, thanks in part to Aunt Hattie’s largesse, and always felt loved and well-cared for.

When it came time to choose a college, Rosary College’s offer of a scholarship made the decision an easy one. Lois majored in Spanish and says her passion for travel was instilled in her by Sr. Sheila Treston and Sr. Thomasine Cusack. Upon graduation, she took the Foreign Service Clerk’s test and passed. Her first post was in La Paz, Bolivia, but it was cut short by a family tragedy: her brother fell from a tree and died shortly thereafter. After only six months in La Paz, she came home to be with her family.

Her next job was with Pan Am, and after that, the State Department. She lived in Virginia for many years, and it was there that she became involved with Rosary College as an alumna, working with Rosary staff, planning alumnae events, and representing Rosary at East Coast gatherings. She has attended all but one of her class Reunions since she graduated in 1951.

“Rosary College offered me a scholarship at a time when my family could not have paid for a college education for me. I am forever indebted to Dominican, because my education enabled me to work, travel, and live a wonderful life. I am delighted to have made this gift to my beloved alma mater.”

For more information about receiving an individualized Charitable Gift Annuity illustration, or to discuss other related questions you may have on this option, please contact the Office of Gift Planning at giftplanning@dom.edu or (708) 524-6303.

May 2015

When asked what inspired her to make a provision in her will for Dominican, Carolyn Chawla replied, “It tickles me pink to think I could be ‘teaching’ even after I’m gone.”

The fourth generation of educators in her family, Ms. Chawla is passionate about her commitment to supporting education through this bequest. “As a longtime faculty member at Rosary College, I was part of a community of Sisters, students, faculty and staff, whose shared objective was to teach and learn in the context of Caritas et Veritas.”

Carolyn was born in England, and lived in Jamaica and Puerto Rico before moving to the United States for graduate studies at Penn State. It was at Penn where she met her husband, Tilak, who shared her passion for education. They moved to the western suburbs of Chicago in 1969 when Carolyn was offered a position on the faculty at Rosary. She founded the fashion and merchandising program, and ultimately became an academic advisor while continuing to teach.

Carolyn speaks of the warm welcome she received from the Sisters during her tenure, mentioning Sr. Clemente Davlin, Sr. Melissa Waters and Sr. Candida Lund as special friends. She remains in touch with many of her former students, following their careers and lives with interest and enthusiasm.

To honor the passion that her husband and parents, Ian and Jesse Mackay, shared for education, Carolyn will use funds from an IRA to create two scholarships in their memory. Not only will students studying in the areas of pre-med, math and technology benefit from her generosity, but Carolyn will also reduce the amount of income taxes to her estate.

Revealing her British heritage, Carolyn says, “I am utterly chuffed that I am able to impact the lives of students at Dominican University. It was such a wonderful part of my life and I’m delighted to give back in this way."

If you think that a gift of retirement plan assets might be right for you, or if you want to talk about other tax advantageous options for charitable giving, please contact the Office of Gift Planning or (708) 524-6303.