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Impact Stories

Major Estate Gift from Dan and Agnes Mazur Benefits Pennsylvania Adult Learners

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Impact Stories

Major Estate Gift from Dan and Agnes Mazur Benefits Pennsylvania Adult Learners

Agnes and Dan Mazur smiling

Agnes and Dan Mazur have made a long-term commitment to support Penn State adult learners. Photo credit: Jill Knight, Jillography Photography

"We are both first-generation college graduates," Dan Mazur says. "Penn State has made a difference in our lives, and we want to make a similar significant impact in students' lives. Our experiences with Penn State Outreach programs made us aware of the needs of adult learners and helped us focus our gift plans."

"For individuals who don't go to college and then find they can't support their families on what they are earning, higher education can be the answer," Agnes Mazur adds. "We want our gift to help these adults earn a Penn State degree."

The Penn State alumni from Palmyra, Pa., have turned their passion for helping adults attain a Penn State degree into a major estate gift to Penn State Outreach to establish the Dan and Agnes Mazur Family Adult Learner Scholarship in the World Campus, Penn State's online campus.

Penn State defines adult learners as individuals age twenty-four or older; veterans of the armed services; active-duty service members; those returning to school after four or more years of employment, homemaking or other activity; or those with multiple adult roles, such as a parent, spouse/partner, employee and student.

Like many traditional-age students, adults often need financial assistance to complete a degree.

"We are extremely grateful to Dan and Agnes Mazur for their very generous commitment to Penn State adult learners," says Craig Weidemann, vice president for Penn State Outreach. "It will provide invaluable support to adult learners balancing multiple responsibilities as they pursue their education."

Adults who are enrolled in World Campus online undergraduate education programs and who live in one of twenty Pennsylvania counties will be eligible for the annual Mazur scholarship.

Dan earned a B.S. in business logistics in 1970 and an MBA in 1971 from Smeal College of Business. Agnes earned a B.A. in French at Penn State in 1974 and a master's degree in elementary education at West Chester University. Their daughter Kathleen is a Penn State graduate; son Patrick is in Smeal College's MBA program; and son Timothy is a World Campus student.

Originally from Cresson, Dan spent 38 years in the railroad industry. He was vice president of strategic planning with Norfolk Southern at the time of his retirement in 2008. Dan has been a very active member of the Penn State Outreach advisory board for more than five years. Agnes, originally from Baltimore, taught elementary education in Chester County.

The Mazurs' estate gift will expand financial aid opportunities for adult learners enrolled in the World Campus. Penn State Outreach currently offers the Fund for Adult Continuing Education Support, Fischer Family Scholarship Program, Osher Foundation Re-entry Scholarship, Jane Ireland Student Fund, Trustee Scholarship Program, and Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholarship, as well as tuition assistance for military/veteran students.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Penn State University 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 to Penn State University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at c/o Office of Gift Planning, 329 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 313, State College, PA 16803-6606, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

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

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Penn State or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate, or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property, or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

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 Penn State 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 Penn State 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 Penn State where you agree to make a gift to Penn State 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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