Donor Stories

A Legacy Rooted in Education: Kim Manser Hofmann ’75 Plans for Colgate’s Future

When Kim Manser Hofmann ’75 considered how she could make a lasting impact at Colgate, she chose to designate her mother’s IRA to benefit the Colgate Fund — reducing Kim’s taxable estate and eliminating the income-tax burden on her heirs. Both of Kim’s parents valued learning, she explains. For Kim, the gift honors those values while ensuring that future students have access to the same opportunities she experienced.

Kim’s path to Colgate wasn’t straightforward. Initially, the Hamilton campus wasn’t on her list — until a neighbor, the late Robert Rathbun ’48, encouraged her to visit. That trip sealed her decision. “I loved the beauty and feel of the campus,” she recalls.

At Colgate, Kim thrived. She built lifelong friendships, explored the world through study abroad, and was challenged to think critically by professors like the late professor of philosophy and religion emeritus Coleman Barr Brown, the late Thomas A. Bartlett, the late professor of English emerita Jane Lagoudis Pinchin, and professor of the classics Robert L. Murray. Her time on campus also sparked a love of adventure that would take her to all seven continents and all 50 states.

Kim earned her teaching certificate at Colgate and later obtained a paralegal certificate. That pivot led to a career in human resources consulting with Mercer.

In retirement, Kim remains deeply connected to her alma mater and the friendships she has built with Julia Bergamini Bergeron ’75, Kathleen O’Leary ’75, Laurie Allison Gunther ’75, and Rob Gunther ’73. She admires President Casey’s vision and believes in the importance of alumni support. “If you believe in the direction the University is headed, it’s critical to support it financially,” she says.

Kim hopes to give future generations the same gift her parents gave her — an education that broadens perspectives, fosters critical thinking, and opens doors to a lifetime of exploration.

“It continues to be a wonderful journey,” she says. “I want others to have that chance too.”

The discussion herein is general in nature and may not apply to all individuals. Prospective donors are urged to consult their personal tax and financial advisors concerning the specific consequences of making gifts to Colgate. We would be pleased to discuss, in confidence, ways in which you may support Colgate. These measures may also have an impact on your estate planning.