The Trustees' Academy - A Tradition
Ohio University’s most prestigious gift society, the Trustees’ Academy, was established in 1966 to honor alumni and friends who support the University at the highest levels. At the time, President Vernon R. Alden said, “The Academy will be composed of those distinguished people who appreciate the need for excellence. Academy members will play an integral part in the University’s future.” Members who continually distinguish themselves with their contributions have fulfilled this prophetic statement.
The Trustees’ Academy has grown from 12 original members to include over 1,500 individuals, businesses, and organizations. Academy members play an influential and significant role in the life of Ohio University through their contributions in support of the institution’s educational mission. Through the contributions of Academy members, virtually every aspect of University life has been strengthened- student scholarships, academic programs, athletic facilities, library holding, faculty research, campus beautification, lectures and performances, and equipment acquisition. Members are an extraordinary company of supporters who give unselfishly of their time talent, and financial resources to assure Ohio University’s excellence and success.
This support is best evidenced in Ohio University’s ranking as a Research II institution and receiving high ratings for education quality and value year after year in national publications such as Money magazine and Barron’s Guide. On a more personal note, more than 3,000 students are aided by privately-funded scholarships each year.
Lifetime and Annual Memberships
Lifetime membership is granted, in the appropriate level, to donors and friends who give outright gifts or make pledges of $100,000 or more, have a cumulative giving total of at least that amount or make a deferred gift of $300,000 or more.
Annual Trustees’ Academy memberships are given, also in the appropriate level, to those making contributions between $2,500 and $99,999. The term of memberships coincides with Ohio University’s fiscal year, July 1 – June 30.
Membership is achieved through contributions of cash, real estate, appreciated securities, gifts-in-kind, or with planned gifts through wills, trusts, or life insurance policies. Deferred gifts are counted on a three-to-one ratio to cash. Deferred gifts and cash gifts/pledges can be combined when determining membership levels. For example, a documented bequest of $30,000 is equivalent to a $10,000 cash gift for recognition purposes.
Trustees’ Academy Recognition Levels
With eight different membership options, the Academy recognizes donors who support the University at a variety of leadership giving levels. Designed to recognize gifts of $2,500 to $14,999, the Ohio Society offers the opportunity to annual donors to join the Trustees’ Academy. In addition, recent graduates (those who received their first degrees from Ohio University in the last 10 years) may join the Ohio Society at the following gift levels: $500 – six to ten years after graduation and $250 – the five most recent classes.
Donors are recognized with membership in the following levels:
- Trustees Circle - $5,000,000 cash/$15,000,000 deferred
- President’s Cabinet - $1,000,000 cash/$3,000,000 deferred
- Third Century Society - $500,000 cash/$1,500,000 deferred
- John C. Baker Council - $100,000 cash/$300,000 deferred
- William H. McGuffey Fellows - $50,000 cash/$150,000 deferred
- William H. Scott Circle - $25,000 cash/$75,000 deferred
- Margaret Boyd Society - $15,000 cash/$45,000 deferrred
- Ohio Society - $2,500 cash/$7,500 deferred
Membership Privileges
A Trustees’ Academy membership brings many rewards, the most significant is the knowledge that alumni and friends are making a real difference in the lives of current and future Ohio University students. The Academy offers a unique opportunity for supporters to affirm their belief in the importance of higher education in general, and their dedication to Ohio University in particular. In addition to bringing the pride of direct involvement and aiding in Ohio’s educational mission, gifts are acknowledged in University publications and members are invited to special on and off campus events.
For more information, contact:
Kathleen Bonte
Senior Director of Development
Donor Relations and Gift Administration
Office of Development
McGuffey Hall
Athens, OH 45701
Tel: 740.593.2486 or 1.800.592.FUND
Email: bonte@ohio.edu
