When Susan Bailey was a student at Grand Valley in the 1970s, her hometown of Benton Harbor was experiencing unrest, much like the rest of the country during the turbulent Vietnam War era.

This impacted her decision on where to enroll, and Bailey, ’73, said she chose Grand Valley, in part, because of its friendly atmosphere. “It felt very comforting to me,” Bailey said.

Bailey and her husband, David, have been consistent donors to Grand Valley for nearly 30 years and in 2014 decided to make a planned gift to the university. The Baileys are retired executives from Whirlpool Corp. in St. Joseph.

When Bailey was at Grand Valley, deciding on a major took time, she said, and while she enjoyed science courses, she was drawn more and more to art classes and soon found a passion for creating jewelry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art and design and was a part of the Grand Rapids arts community for a few years following graduation.

Like many Grand Valley alumni, Bailey has fond memories of her time on the Allendale Campus, particularly her relationships with campus community members. “I was treated with respect, whether it was in class with other students, talking to administrators, or asking for help if I needed it,” she said.

Several years ago, the Baileys revised their will to ensure Grand Valley was a beneficiary.

“We both feel it is important on a number of levels to support education,” she said. “When people are educated, you have a stronger society and a stronger country.

“We also have an interest in seeing students graduate with fewer loans and debt.”

Gina Bovee is the director of endowed and planned giving. She said people include Grand Valley in their estate plans because, like the Baileys, they care about student success.

“It’s your personal legacy; you are leaving a gift to something you care deeply about,” said Bovee, who joined Grand Valley in March with two decades of experience.

Bailey said she wanted her planned gift to pay it forward. “Our education led us to make a good living,” she said. “We want to pass those opportunities on to someone else.”

After living in Grand Rapids, Bailey moved back to the St. Joseph area and got a job at Whirlpool as a clerk in the accounting department. She earned promotions and began pursuing a master’s degree through Whirlpool’s tuition incentive program. Among other projects, Bailey led the development of the company’s first relational database, which collected information on sales and allowed team members to view data trends. She retired after 30 years as a finance director at Whirlpool.

Planned giving options

Gift planning options for donors range from bequests to retirement plan designations to gifts that pay income. Bovee said many people have the notion they are too young to think about a planned gift or that giving this way is too complex for their situation. “In reality, a planned gift can be easy to put in place and is often the best way to maximize your impact on student success,” she said.

Bailey stressed the importance of having regular financial conversations with family members. “It helps to talk it out often. We talk about supporting things that are important to our family,” she said.

Donors who support Grand Valley with a planned gift become members of the Gillett Society, Grand Valley’s longest-standing donor society named in honor of Richard M. Gillett, who was a driving force in the creation of the university. For more information on making
a planned gift to Grand Valley, contact Bovee at (616) 331-6534 or [email protected]. Visit gvsu.edu/giving for more information.

Giving Matters-Memberships

Interested in becoming more involved with your passion? Consider these memberships to increase your impact.

Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies
The Hauenstein Center hosts influential speakers and debates that engage the community to discuss the political and cultural challenges we face. High-quality events are just one way the center advances the ideals of founding benefactor Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein. A membership to the Hauenstein Center helps continue to bring innovative ideas, intellectual engagement and thoughtful dialogue to Grand Valley students and the community.

• Madison Circle: $150-$249
• Jefferson Circle: $250-$499
• Adams Circle: $500-$999
• Washington Circle: $1,000 or more

Benefits: Early notice of events, opportunity to meet guest speakers at receptions.
Become a member: gvsu.edu/giving/hauenstein

Friends of Mathias J. Alten
Mathias J. Alten is a celebrated American artist known for more than 2,500 works of art. In 1999, private collectors George and Barbara Gordon determined that their Alten paintings collection should be on permanent public display. Because of their generosity, Grand Valley now holds the largest public collection of Alten’s work in the George and Barbara Gordon Gallery on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Friends of Alten members support the important work of the maintenance and care of Alten’s collection, as well as promote awareness of his legacy.

• Paint Brush: $99 and under
• Palette: $100-$199
• Canvas: $200-$499
• Gilded Frame: $500 or more

Benefits: Advance notices of special receptions and events; Gilded Frame members receive a complimentary copy of Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy, featuring the works of Alten.
Become a member: gvsu.edu/giving/alten

Kaufman Interfaith Institute
The Kaufman Interfaith Institute promotes interfaith understanding and mutual respect in West Michigan, as well as encouragement for a vibrant and diverse community through interfaith dialogue and services. In addition to a number of events throughout the year, the institute hosts the Triennial Dialogue that brings together scholars, students, citizens and clergy from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. Membership to the Kaufman Interfaith Institute enables it to continue its mission and help make the community a place of understanding, acceptance and peace.

• Friend: $100-$499
• Supporter: $500-$999
• Partner: $1,000 or more

Benefits: Advance notices of special receptions and events.
Become a member: gvsu.edu/giving/kaufman

Kutsche Office of Local History
The Kutsche Office of Local History supports local history and cultural heritage institutions, organizations and practitioners in West Michigan through expertise, networking, and collaborative projects. Their work helps preserve, protect and retain the history of underrepresented and marginalized groups, and fosters an appreciation of the common challenges populations face.

• Friends of the Kutsche Office: $45

Benefits: Discounts to programs, free admission to the annual Local History Roundtable, reduced registration fees for all public programming, copies of the monthly electronic newsletter, copies of the twice-yearly Kutsche Chronicle.