Living a value-oriented life
By Barbara Northcott
Mark Kaufman, AB ’75, MSW ’77, JD ’79, is a proud WashU graduate, having earned three degrees from the university. But he didn’t begin his academic career here. After being accepted to both WashU and the University of Chicago, Mark chose the latter. Following one semester and a period of soul-searching, he realized it wasn’t the right fit and contacted WashU.
Mark was accepted for the fall semester of 1971, marking the beginning of what would become a lifelong relationship with the university. Yet, arriving on the Danforth Campus wasn’t the start of his family’s connection to the university; it was the continuation.
Mark’s father, S. Sidney Kaufman, BSBA ’47, was in his final year at WashU’s School of Commerce and Finance (later renamed Olin Business School) in 1941 when WWII paused his education. Just one semester shy of graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces (the precursor of the U.S. Air Force), where he served as a navigator until 1946. He intended to return to WashU after his military service, but circumstances required him to return to the family business in Ohio. WashU allowed Sidney to complete his final semester remotely at the University of Pittsburgh, and he graduated from WashU in 1947.
“I’m grateful for what the university did for my dad and for me. They provided a fantastic education and a supportive student experience,” Mark said.
Mark acknowledges that, although WashU has many world-class schools — Social Work, Public Health, Law, and Medical, among others — Arts & Sciences had the greatest personal impact on him. As a result, he decided to allocate his planned gift to Arts & Sciences. He encourages other alumni to consider what’s most important to them. He says, “It’s a great feeling to be able to contribute to something I find meaningful. I’m glad to have the opportunity to make a difference.”
Mark credits WashU gift officer Liz Lee for suggesting the Dean’s Annual Fund for Arts & Sciences Excellence, which allows a gift to be directed to the area of Arts & Sciences where it will be most beneficial. To Mark, that seemed ideal. He wanted to ensure the dean had the flexibility to pursue his top priorities and respond to urgent needs as they arise.
Additionally, rather than giving a smaller amount now, he set up a revocable living trust, naming WashU as a beneficiary. As a result, his gift will have a greater benefit at once. Though he still plans to give annually, a planned gift felt like the right thing for him, and he believes that now is a meaningful time to contribute to higher education. “Living a value-oriented life is important to me, especially during times when supporting higher education can make a particularly impactful difference,” he says. And he believes impact is what giving is about.
If you have questions about planned giving and how your gifts can benefit education, research, patient care, and the programs you care most about, please reach out to the Office of Planned Giving team at 314-935-5373 or plannedgiving@wustl.edu. With you, we can make a difference.