Donor Stories

A Legacy of Learning: Why Marc Benson ’85 Is Investing in Colgate’s Third Century

When Marc Benson ’85 and his husband, Charles Sullivan, sat down to map out their retirement, they were faced with a common financial puzzle: how to ensure their own lifelong security while making a meaningful impact on the institutions that shaped them. The solution was a charitable remainder trust (CRT).

By establishing a CRT, Marc and Charles created a mutually beneficial scenario: the trust provides them with a steady income stream for the rest of their lives while ensuring that the remainder of the assets will eventually support the Colgate Fund and LGBTQ+ initiatives.

"We need our savings and investments to live," Marc explains. "But we also know we will likely leave behind enough to make a contribution to the institutions that matter to us."

Marc’s journey to making this gift began during his undergraduate years — on a warm May afternoon by Taylor Lake. He remembers sitting alone, reading an epic French poem aloud for a final exam, struck by the sheer beauty of the language and the setting. The beauty of campus and its surroundings was part of what drew Marc to Colgate in the first place.

"I vividly remember the excitement of getting my acceptance letter," Marc recalls. "I knew I’d likely spend my life in a city, so the rural beauty of Hamilton felt like the perfect place to start."

That start led to a distinguished legal career, including a 25-year tenure at Johnson & Johnson. As a vice president of law for the health care corporation, Marc’s roles took him around the globe — including a three-year stint leading the law department in São Paulo, Brazil, where he led Johnson & Johnson’s Latin America legal team. He credits his Colgate liberal arts education for his professional agility.

"Colgate nourished my quest for knowledge," he says. "Whether I was supporting a pharmaceutical business, a medical device company, global supply chain, or working with a function like privacy or cybersecurity, that foundation of critical thinking sustained me."

For Marc, the decision to give back is rooted in a sense of gratitude that has only grown since his time on campus. He reflects on the intimacy of his first-year seminar on Franz Kafka and the mentorship of professors like the late Professor of Romance Language and Literatures Jim Nicholls — who led the study group to Dijon, France — and Professor of Philosophy Emerita Anne Ashbaugh, who brought her discipline to life for Marc.

"At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate how fortunate I was to learn at Colgate," Marc admits. "Now I want to help ensure Colgate is around for another 200 years, offering those same opportunities to students."

By directing a portion of his gift toward LGBTQ+ initiatives, Marc is also ensuring that the modern campus of today remains a welcoming, inclusive space for all students to find their own Taylor Lake moments.

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.