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Giving

Chuck Gilson '56 Is Committed to History Repeating Itself

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It makes sense for an alumnus who taught high school history for more than 30 years to make a gift that invigorates history education at Saint Michael's College. Not only did Chuck Gilson '56 major in education, but, as a student, he helped drive Saint Michael's history. 

"I'd often drive Father (Eugene) Alliot over where some Carmelites had a place, and we'd have great talks on the way...about the Third Republic of France and when the Society of Saint Edmund was thrown out of the country," Chuck says. 

Chuck's personal acquaintance with elderly priests like Alliot deepened his lifelong connection to Saint Michael's and the Edmundites. It also energized his enthusiasm for history, which became his career. Chuck taught world history to several generations of high school students in his hometown of Pittsfield, Mass., after Army service and history graduate work at Boston College. But he never lost sight of Saint Michael's. 

'No One Is Immortal'
"I loved the place," Chuck said. "I was even studying in the order for a while, and so I still keep contact with a lot of those fellows." Longtime Edmundite friends include the late Rev. Maurice Boucher, SSE, at Saint Anne's Shrine, and Rev. Ray Doherty, SSE, who still lives on campus. 

Before he retired several years ago, his work as an educator included duty with the college board as an adviser for advanced placement exams in history. Now 77, Chuck explained what motivated his $250,000 estate gift. 

"No one is immortal on the planet, and I have been beginning to think about what to do with my money," he says. 

The Next Chapter
Chuck decided he would like his gift to benefit programs in the history department, such as bringing guest speakers to campus. He hopes his investments make it possible to endow a chair in the history department, adding, "I love to follow the stock market." 

Another hobby combines his interests in photography, architecture and travel. "I'm compiling a pictorial inventory of every Catholic church in the United States," Chuck says. "I must have 20,000 pictures right now." 

Chuck said he visits Saint Michael's a "couple times a summer" and hopes to honor with his gift the tough but inspirational professors of his era who cherished the classical tradition and shared it brilliantly—professors like Jeremiah Durick, who taught him Shakespeare. "They were strong personalities, those guys. That's when there were clearer answers to things, and they exuded an authority that awed us." 

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Saint Michael’s College a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

“I give, bequeath, and devise to Saint Michael’s College, an educational organization established by law at One Winooski Park, Box 256, Colchester, Vermont 05439, whose Federal Tax ID number is 03-0179403 [here follows the dollar amount or percentage of the gift, or an accurate description of the securities, insurance policies, retirement funds, or the amount or percentage of the residual estate, or the real estate or other assets given].”

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cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

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You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Saint Michael's College as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Saint Michael's College as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Saint Michael's College where you agree to make a gift to Saint Michael's College and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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