“The university has made a huge difference in my life.”

Robert Hampel is professor emeritus in the School of Education at the University of Delaware and an award-winning historian of education who also studies contemporary educational policy. He is the author/editor of six books and 65 articles. He has also been a Public Service Fellow for former Delaware governor Mike Castle, a trustee of the Sanford School, and interim director of UD’s School of Education. Through his philanthropic planning, he is a longtime member of UD’s Carillon Circle and recently joined the Osher Lifelong Learning Legacy Society.

Bob’s motivation for including UD in his estate plans more than two decades ago is gratitude for the opportunity UD provided him. He said, “As a post-doctoral fellow, I was in an academic field – history and the history of education - where the job market was dismal. I almost gave up and went to business school. I was accepted by MIT’s Sloan School of Management but held out and the gamble paid off.

“I felt very fortunate to join UD.  I have had wonderful colleagues and students, including 55 doctoral students. I also appreciate that the university encouraged my desire to link history with contemporary educational policy.”

Among Bob’s many responsibilities beyond teaching, his tenure on the executive committee of the Friends of the University of Delaware Library holds a special place in his heart. For more than half a century, the Friends’ efforts have added an extraordinary selection of rare materials, books and artifacts for academic study and scholarly research. Serving as treasurer for the Friends reinforced his appreciation for the crucial role the library plays not only for university students and faculty, but within the state of Delaware and beyond.

A bequest from Bob’s estate will enhance the library’s ability to expand its collections to benefit future generations. Additionally, he directed his 2023 mandatory distribution from an IRA into a charitable gift annuity (CGA). The CGA will yield income to him and when it matures the remainder will support UD’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. A change in the tax code made this type of gift plan – called the IRA charitable rollover – an attractive option. “You will receive more each year than you would earn from a CD, money market account, or A rated bonds,” Bob said. “And it’s not a complicated transaction—the paperwork was simple.” 

To make this kind of gift, first consider consulting a professional advisor to make sure it fits your personal financial situation. Then contact your retirement plan administrator to transfer from your IRA directly to a charity. Alert the charity that a check will arrive from your plan administrator and provide the value and any details about what you want to support. Retirement plan administrators usually do not include the IRA holder’s name on the check, so contacting the charity will ensure you are properly credited and that your gift supports your intended designation. You must be at least 70 ½ years old to make this kind of gift.

“I think for most of us there is a strong satisfaction when our gift supports something that has special meaning,” Bob noted. “Take stock of what that priority is, and what it is about the university that you want to help flourish.”

If you are interested in planned gifts to UD, there are many options beyond wills or trusts. The easiest option may be adding UD as a percentage beneficiary of your retirement plan. There is no minimum age threshold to do this, and it takes just a few minutes.

If you do include UD in your estate plans, please contact the Gift Planning Office about your gift’s designation to ensure your wishes can be met as you intended.