Jenkins Society inducts new members, including Jenkins’ son
The Leo W. Jenkins Society, ECU’s planned giving organization, inducted 30 new members at a luncheon on Dec. 11. (Photos by Will Preslar)
Every year, donors make planned gifts to East Carolina University that support scholarships, professorships and endowment funds. This year was no different, with donors advancing areas in nursing to business to music education.
Their philanthropy earns them membership in the Leo W. Jenkins Society, a group of benefactors who designate planned gifts such as will bequests, retirement plan beneficiaries and life insurance policies that will help the university succeed in the future.
The group’s namesake, Leo Jenkins, was the university’s sixth president. During his tenure, Jenkins pushed for campus expansion, stronger academic programs and increased enrichment opportunities. He helped establish a four-year medical school, the School of Nursing, the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education. He campaigned for ECU to receive university status and NCAA recognition – and succeeded. He is widely considered one of ECU’s greatest champions.
At a luncheon on Dec. 11, the society inducted 30 new members whose collective planned giving totaled more than $12 million.
The event was particularly special for one inductee, Leo’s youngest son Jack.
Jack and Mary Charles Jenkins accept the Jenkins Society medallion from Interim Chancellor Ron Michelson.
Jack Jenkins ’78 grew up on ECU’s campus while his father was president. “My father said his greatest accomplishment was instilling a sense of pride in the people of eastern North Carolina. He said the people of eastern North Carolina walked a little taller because of ECU,” he said.
Jack and his wife, Mary Charles ’79, made a planned gift that will support a scholarship endowment in the School of Music. The endowment is named after Mary Charles’s father, Dr. Charles Stevens, who was a longtime professor and dean of the School of Music.
“We know how special this place is and it’s getting better every day. We felt like the time was right to step up and help make it better,” Jack Jenkins said.
Sue Collier accepts the Jenkins Society medallion from Interim Chancellor Ron Michelson.
Another donor, Sue Collier, also made a planned gift honoring a parent. Collier ’81 ’91 earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in nursing. She gave a substantial insurance policy that will support numerous nursing scholarships in memory of her mother.
“She was a nurse and she was my inspiration,” Collier said. “This was another way to elevate my contribution. Everyone should consider some way to support their alma mater, and planned giving is a great way to do that.”
Every inductee gave to an area of the university they are passionate about. Every one of their gifts will leave a legacy. Interim Chancellor Ron Michelson said this generosity allows ECU to continue its mission of providing the highest quality education and instruction possible in an environment that cultivates academic, professional and service excellence.
“The mission that we’re on together is alive and well. First and foremost, it is the success of our students, and also the success of our region. We cannot be successful without your support. I’m so thankful you chose to include ECU in your plans,” he told the donors.
2019 Leo W. Jenkins Society inductees
Robert Brinkley
Amy Brinkley
W. Richard Cobb
Sue Collier
Victoria Cox
Dennis Elwell
Jack Jenkins
Mary Charles Jenkins
Raymond McCulloch
Michael McShane
Sara Munford
Calvin Owens
R. Lee Parks
Paula Parks
William Raper
Rhett Raynor
Sharon Raynor
Jane Reel
Jeanne Robertson
James Salisbury
Joanne Salisbury
Shirley Slaughter
James Swain
Madelyn Swain
Taylor Teague
Sven vanBaars
Judith Whichard
George Wisneskey
David Womack
Betty Zusin
Visit eculegacy.org/ to learn more about the many ways to make a planned gift to ECU.
-by Erin Shaw, University Communications