Celebrating the Chapman Spirit Through Giving
Wilcox Patterson '62 and his wife, Sandy, are longtime fans and supporters of Chapman University. Their daughter, Stacy, earned her B.A. in art in 1994, so Chapman is a family tradition.
"What we appreciate most about Chapman is the strong sense of community," Wil said. "The sense of intimacy and connection is such an important part of the experience of attending a small university."
Having long been annual donors, Wil and Sandy decided to increase their Chapman giving through a bequest in their will. The bequest allows the Pattersons to do something substantial for Chapman without impacting their current financial obligations. Challenging economic times and the rising cost of tuition make this kind of visionary support an especially impactful way to give.
Chapman's values and emphasis on ethical citizenship mirror the Patterson's priorities and were pivotal factors in the determination of their planned gift. The bequest is the family's personal "thank you" to Chapman - an expression of appreciation for the solid, values-based education that built a foundation for success.
"Sandy and I want other students to be able to experience the same experiences I had as an undergraduate, so making a bequest is a natural thing to do. We want to give back and provide an opportunity to deserving students who otherwise may not be able to afford a private-school education."
Wil enjoys participating in alumni mixers in his Northern California community and traveling to Chapman to attend athletic events. He returned in May 2012 for his 50 year class reunion. Chapman has undergone a transformation since his college days, but one thing that remains constant is the undeniable Chapman spirit and willingness to help others in need, Wil says.
"My wife and I came back to Chapman for a visit after being away for a number of years, and we were not too familiar with the new campus design. We had a campus map in our hands when two students came up to us and asked, 'May we help you?' They very graciously guided us to our destination," said Wil. "It's that willingness to reach out and help others that makes me grateful and proud to be a Chapman alumnus."
Click to learn more about including Chapman University as a beneficiary of your will or living trust.
Inspire Your Legacy
For information about creating your Chapman legacy, contact us.
- David B. Moore (M.A. '09), (714) 516-4590 or [email protected]
- Lindsey Jacobs '09 (M.A. '18), (714) 628-7311 or [email protected]
