An introductory sociology course was the first time Dennis Jackman and Gail Atchley Jackman worked together as undergraduates. They continued to work together in student government, representing students who lived off campus.
As alumni, Dennis and Gail are still doing their part to make Penn State a stronger, more vibrant institution. By planning a gift to Penn State, they hope to benefit the University for many years to come.
After the two graduated from Penn State-Dennis in 1976 with a degree in sociology and Gail in 1977 with degrees in individual and family studies and consumer studies-they both earned advanced degrees at
Cornell University.
Today, Dennis is the international senior vice president, public affairs, at CSL Behring, a global leader in biotherapies for patients with rare medical diseases. Gail founded and heads marketing research consulting firm REACH Research & Consulting House.
While Dennis and Gail's work and personal lives take them around the world, they remain closely in tune to what's happening at University Park, especially in the College of the Liberal Arts.
A History of Giving
In 2009, the couple made a gift to Penn State's Rock Ethics Institute to advance ethics education, an issue near and dear to their hearts. Last year, Gail and Dennis created a trustee scholarship to help undergraduate students with emergency financial needs during the school year.
Dennis and Gail have been similarly generous with their time and talents, serving on the External Advisory Board and the Development Council for the Rock Ethics Institute.
Recently, the Jackmans were looking to deepen their philanthropy while also planning for their retirement. By working with Penn State's Office of Gift Planning, they discovered that the charitable remainder unitrust with a flip provision (CRUT) fit the bill perfectly.
"We wanted to find a way to contribute to the college that would meet its needs and, at the same time, we would be taking care of our financial future," Dennis says. "It allows us to contribute now to Penn State without putting our retirement at risk."
How It Works
High-earning donors can view the Flip CRUT as a retirement planning vehicle with many of the same benefits of an IRA or 401(k) plan, but without the annual limitations on how much can be contributed.
Since the Jackmans do not need extra income while they are still working, they have chosen to invest available funds and defer their income payments until after they retire.
At the end of their lives, the balance in the trust will go to the Dennis and Gail Atchley Jackman Dean's Fund for the College of the Liberal Arts, which will support innovative learning and research projects by faculty and students.
While the Jackmans chose this gift vehicle with an eye toward the future, their desire to give back to Penn State stems from their own undergraduate days.
"Our Penn State experience provided inspirational teachers and great educational opportunities for both of us," Dennis says. "We want to help the faculty and students anywhere we can."
Learn More
Contact the Office of Gift Planning at 888-800-9170 (toll free) or giftplanning@psu.edu to learn more about how you can support students and faculty at Penn State University.