Edwin Pearlstine

Earning a degree from Carolina is not a prerequisite to becoming a diehard Gamecock. Just ask Edwin Pearlstine, who started attending USC football games about 40 years ago with good friends who introduced him to the Garnet & Black fraternity of fans at Williams-Brice Stadium. He's been a member in good standing ever since.

Pearlstine, a Charleston native and businessman, attended the "other" Carolina, but his allegiance is solidly with this one. So much so, in fact, that he's designated a generous charitable gift annuity to ultimately benefit USC's Athletics Department. This gift will not only ensure his support for the Gamecocks for a long time to come, but it will also provide him with guaranteed income payments for life.

Bert Storey, '51

It’s been nearly 60 years since Bert Storey earned a degree in civil engineering at Carolina, but he’s definitely in tune with America’s current need to produce more engineering graduates.

“We need more students trained in engineering to regain our strength in manufacturing and mining and to plan our country’s infrastructure responsibly,” said Storey, a real estate developer based in Augusta, Ga. “The College of Engineering and Computing wants to increase its enrollment from 1,600 to 2,000 students, and while they’re doing everything they can to recruit in-state students, we’re going to have to look beyond the state’s borders to reach that enrollment goal.”

That’s why Storey has established a charitable lead trust that funds the Bert Storey Scholars Fund, a scholarship that will be used to attract top-notch non-resident students to the College of Engineering and Computing. Others are challenged to contribute to the fund and help build this vitally needed scholarship pool.

“This scholarship fund will help bring more engineering students in, and because South Carolina has such a great lifestyle quality, there’s an excellent chance we’ll retain them, and they’ll help build the state’s economy and improve the quality of life.”

This isn’t the first time Storey has demonstrated his support for the College of Engineering and Computing. With his latest gift, he has established a lasting legacy that will bring some of America’s finest students to the University he cherishes.

A charitable lead trust pays income to Carolina for a specific length of time, then leaves the remainder of the trust to designated beneficiaries. The purpose is to reduce estate taxes while maintaining family control of the estate's assets, all while making a significant investment in charitable endeavors.

William C. "Bill" Schmidt Jr.

What happens when you combine natural curiosity and a passion for history? Just ask William C. "Bill" Schmidt Jr. who has amassed an extraordinarily valuable and interesting collection of antique stock and bond certificates—each one with a fascinating story to match.

His interests aren't confined to antique documents; Schmidt has had an enduring love affair with antique automobiles and steam locomotives. As a youngster, he helped his father restore several antique autos and construct a working model steam locomotive. When he considered what he would ultimately do with his estate, Schmidt didn't have to look too far. A nearly lifelong friend of the University libraries—he's a life member of the Thomas Cooper and Ex Libris Societies—Schmidt has arranged a planned gift that will one day transfer the bulk of his estate, including his entire collection, to the South Caroliniana Library, the Rare Books and Special Collections division, and to the Thomas Cooper Library. Realizing that some items in his collection might not fit in with existing library collections, Schmidt has authorized the sale by the library of such items and the application of sale proceeds to existing library endowments. "I can't say how much I think of the University," he said. "I've been visiting the University libraries for 35 years and have had nothing but positive experiences."

Jimmy, '82, '83 MACC, and Patti, '82, Addison

Ever since graduating in accounting from Carolina, Jimmy and Patti Addison have been solid supporters of the Moore School of Business. They've consistently contributed to the Annual Fund and even started a scholarship fund dedicated to accounting students.

"And we always knew that one day we'd do a separate planned gift to the University," said Jimmy, senior vice president and chief financial officer for SCANA Corp. in Columbia.

That day came sooner rather than later thanks to a matching gift opportunity from Moore School benefactor Darla Moore. In 2009, the Addisons completed a simple yet tax smart gift arrangement that will designate the Moore School as a beneficiary of their 401k retirement plan—and receive a full match to boot.

"We would never have accomplished what we've done professionally without the education we received at the Moore School," Jimmy said. "And we think we can make a positive impact on South Carolina by helping to improve the business school."

The Addisons are contributing to Carolina in other ways, too. Their oldest son graduated from USC Aiken, their second oldest graduated from the Honors College at USC Columbia, and their twins are currently attending Carolina! And because of their wise planning and generosity, future generations of Carolina students will get the educational foundation they need for their own success.

Everett Summerall, '64, '74 MM

Everett Summerall's father was a farmer by trade but could have been a professional opera singer. The elder Summerall won a Metropolitan Opera audition when he was young, but the pull of the family farm kept him out of the limelight. His love for music didn't die, though; he sang at his church and shared his musical passion with his son.

The younger Summerall earned bachelor's and master's degrees in organ performance from Carolina and taught music in public schools for 30 years, retiring in 1996. He also was an organist and choir director at several churches in Aiken and Augusta and continues to play the organ for All Saints Episcopal in Beech Island, S.C.

To honor the memory of his parents, Catherine W. and Everett T. Summerall, Mr. Summerall has created both a charitable gift annuity and a bequest that will fund an organ music scholarship at Carolina and enhance the School of Music's organ curriculum.

Because of his wise planning and generosity, future generations of Carolina students will be making beautiful music for years to come.

H. Thorp Minister III, '81

As all parents know, children have a wonderful way of changing one's values and perspective on life while simultaneously creating a sense of urgency to plan for the future.

H. Thorp Minister always wanted to do something for Carolina. For him, the last piece of his estate planning puzzle was to make a gift to the University through the purchase of several life insurance policies. As a single dad, this allowed him the protection of providing for his young daughter's future if he died prematurely and gave him financial leverage to bequeath to Carolina once he passed on. He noted, "There is a common misconception that you have to be old, rich, and retired to give to a university. Giving to Carolina is a lot easier and more affordable than one might think. If I can do it, anyone can do it."

Thorp set up a living trust that will one day fund three separate gifts that will provide scholarship assistance for a student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications; establish a visiting professorship or faculty development fund in the school; and lastly, benefit Carolina's football program.

Thorp explained his motivation for giving to the University of South Carolina this way: "The truth is, most students don't truly appreciate their teachers until about twenty years after the fact. Being able to write well is a terrific exercise in mental gymnastics. My journalism professors taught me well, and it has served me throughout my professional career as a record producer, artist manager, graphics designer, promoter, public relations guru, and television and film producer. For that, I am eternally grateful. I would like to encourage all Carolina alumni, young and old alike, to set up a living trust if they have not already done so. With wise planning, you can invest in the things you value most and make a lasting impact that will benefit future generations of students and professors."

Carol and Michael, '81 MBA, Smith

Carol and Michael Smith invested their professional careers at the University of South Carolina—now they're investing in the institution in a different way to benefit future students and faculty.

Carol, now retired, was public information director at the School of Medicine for many years, and Michael is a long serving professor of European history. Through a bequest and donated funds, they've established the Laura J. Smith Medical Scholarship Fund and the Michael S. Smith and Carol A. Smith European History Library Endowment Fund.

The medical scholarship fund honors the memory of their only child, Laura, who died in 2003 of congestive heart failure. The Smiths' bequest will further endow the fund, which was established to support a need-based scholarship for future students at the School of Medicine. The library endowment will fund acquisitions of books and other materials on modern Europe in both English and foreign languages.

"These funds reflect where we spent our individual careers and honor what is most important to us," Michael said. "We are glad to be able to assist both aspiring physicians and future generations of history students and faculty."

Frances Black Farmer, '32

When Frances Black Farmer graduated from the School of Journalism, the Great Depression was on, J. Rion McKissick was the school dean, and students wrote their assignments on typewriters.

How times have changed. McKissick is now remembered as a beloved president from Carolina's past—a Horseshoe building is named in his honor—and those not very portable typewriters have been replaced by wireless laptops. But Farmer, who passed away in 2007, didn't forget her school experience, and she won't be forgotten. Her bequest of unrestricted funds to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications will help students and faculty for years to come.

"Every gift we receive is a treasure that will help us enhance students' experience in our college," said current dean Charles Bierbauer. "Frances Farmer's bequest can be put to good use immediately where it's needed most.

"A student might get scholarship aid that makes her presence here possible. A faculty member might get to develop and present a paper at a conference that makes his research more relevant to his teaching. The recipients will remember Frances Farmer's tangible love for our college. And so will we."

With wise planning you can provide a gift that will help Carolina students when today's laptops are history but the challenge of learning remains.

Wayne, '75, and Carolyn, '74, '75 MS, Polston

Wayne and Carolyn Polston of Wilmington, N.C., have great memories of their years at Carolina. Tailgating at Williams-Brice and attending basketball games coached by the legendary Frank McGuire are near the top of the list.

Carolyn attended Carolina as a National Merit Scholar and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in math. She lived in the original Columbia Hall, an old hotel that once was located across the street from the State House, for her freshman year. Wayne worked his way through Carolina's engineering college, earning a bachelor's degree.

Now their two sons, Tucker and Ross, are adding to the storehouse of the Polston family's Carolina memories. Tucker received a graduate degree from the English department, having completed his bachelor's degree as a McKissick Scholar. Ross completed his undergraduate education as a mechanical engineering major and an Alumni Scholar.

"All four of us love college sports, and Wayne and I have been members of the Gamecock, then Roundhouse, Clubs since we graduated more than 30 years ago," Carolyn said. "I have always had a goal of paying back the University for my education, a sort of 'paying it forward.'" To accomplish that, Wayne and Carolyn have established scholarships in the College of Engineering and Computing and in the College of Arts and Sciences. They've also created a planned gift that will endow a professorship or faculty chair to benefit both colleges at Carolina.

Carolina has been a source of many happy memories for the Polstons. And their wise planning will provide future Carolina students with the same experience.

Irwin From

Irwin From of Spartanburg, S.C., likes the idea of building on something important to his family. That's why he has continued the legacy of supporting scholarships that honor his grandparents, Israel and Bertha From, and his parents, Ellis and Maie From. Maie From served on the board that helped establish USC Union, one of Carolina's regional campuses. The From scholarships are intended for students who attend USC Union and help defray a large portion of the annual tuition.

In addition to supporting the scholarships, Irwin also plans to establish charitable remainder trusts and other planned gifts that will benefit USC Union and create scholarships for Union County students attending USC Upstate, the University's senior campus in Spartanburg.

With wise planning, you can create a legacy that will last for generations.

Earl and Sherry, '75 MS Ed, Whatley

Earl and Sherry Whatley feel strongly about supporting South Carolina's future educators in the College of Education. Earl was an assistant dean and professor in the college; Sherry earned a master's degree in education at Carolina and later taught in public schools and became a principal.

They've chosen to bequeath two generous scholarship funds that will support education students at the University of South Carolina in perpetuity. By investing in the education of future teachers, the Whatleys know that their gift will pay rich dividends for many years to come.

"We love the University—we met there and were married in the University's Rutledge Chapel—and we both wanted to give something that would be meaningful and keep on giving long after we're no longer here," Sherry said.

With wise planning you can feel good now about providing future benefits that will last forever.

Lolly, '42, and Frank Dana

Lolly and Frank Dana's first gift to University Libraries had an immediate impact: a handsome set of John Audubon's Birds of America, with inscriptions and manuscript materials from the family of the Rev. John Bachman, a Charleston, S.C., friend of Audubon.

The book had been in Lolly's family for years, and she wanted to ensure it would be preserved and made available for exhibit with other Bachman materials at the Thomas Cooper Library. A web exhibit of the library's ornithological collections can be viewed at www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/audubon/audubon.html The Danas' second gift is a charitable gift annuity that provides them with generous lifetime payments while benefiting the Lolly M. and Frank J. Dana Library Endowment Fund, which will have long-lasting benefits for the library's special collections area. Proceeds from the fund will support preservation of currently held materials such as the Audubon book and the acquisition of other rare books in the future.