Education alumna invests in teachers

Planned gifts make a difference for future generations

Legacy gift commitments sustain Bluffton for future generations. Anderson’s gifts will ensure Bluffton’s enduring values of discovery, community, respect and service will live on for generations to come.

Upon graduating from Bluffton University in 1964, Jean (Jochen) Anderson, of Lancaster, was immediately hired as a teacher in Pennsylvania. For 38 years, Anderson used the skills she developed at Bluffton, to teach the next generation of students.

“I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to graduate with the wonderful Christian education that I got at Bluffton and was able to pursue a career in teaching,” said Anderson.

Now in retirement, Anderson’s commitment to teaching combined with Bluffton’s commitment to education are making an impact on the next generation of teachers. That’s because Anderson and her husband established a scholarship for education majors.

“I’ve received several thank you cards, and I even met one of the recipients when I returned to Bluffton for my 50th reunion.”

Because of the impact of the scholarship, the Anderson’s chose to continue giving to Bluffton. They set up an annuity and included Bluffton in their wills.

For Anderson, setting up a clear estate plan was crucial. Anderson’s husband had been ill for quite some time with diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and before he passed away, they made the decision together to include Bluffton in their plans.

“Since we had no children, we decided to invest some of our money in helping students at Bluffton because we believe in the Christian education of young people,” said Anderson. “It is our way of giving back to the Lord for his goodness to us.”

Anderson appreciates knowing the values that were important at Bluffton when she was a student, remain. “I didn’t want to be a number, and I wasn’t. At Bluffton, I was a person.”