Gift Planning

A Meaningful Gift with a Steady Return: Ray ’69 and Leslie Heaslip Wengenroth ’74

For Ray ’69 and Leslie Heaslip Wengenroth ’74, Colgate is a family affair. Their Colgate roots began back in the 1940s, when Leslie’s father and uncle enrolled, followed by her brother, cousin, and, most recently, the Wengenroths’ son, Eric, who graduated in 2007. Leslie was proud to be a part of Colgate’s first co-educational class, graduating in 1974.

“Colgate has always been important to us,” she says. “It’s where we met, fell in love, and started a life together.”

Giving back to Colgate is also important to the Wengenroths. And through establishing a charitable gift annuity (CGA), Ray and Leslie are able to contribute to the place they care about while also receiving a steady income for life.

Both strong advocates for the liberal arts, Ray and Leslie hope their CGA contribution helps to make Colgate’s liberal arts education more accessible to students from all backgrounds.

“My liberal arts education was important in allowing me, an art and English major, to develop a career that embraced technology,” says Leslie.

“My education gave me the skills to be an entrepreneur,” echoes Ray.

Now retired after successful careers in marketing (Leslie) and building, design, and real estate (Ray), the Wengenroths appreciate the opportunity to support Colgate and the historic Campaign for the Third Century in a way that offers a reliable income in return.

“For us,” says Leslie, “a charitable gift annuity was the best way to give back to the place that gave us so much.”

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.