Summer’s Farewell and Fall’s Arrival

‘Tis the season to be outdoors! As I walk through campus among the trees and flowers, I am reminded of the beauty that surrounds us each day at the Heights.

What makes this time of year truly special is the return of our alumni for Reunion. It’s so exciting to see so many familiar faces on campus, eager to reconnect with former classmates. My team and I especially enjoy leading bus tours for Shaw Society members celebrating their 50th Reunion—some of whom haven’t seen the campus in decades. 

Securing the future of BC is on all of our minds as Soaring Higher: the Campaign for Boston College marks one year since its kickoff last September. Thanks to many of you, the campaign is going strong. It goes without saying that we wouldn’t be here without your support. 

In this issue, you will read about qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) and required minimum distributions (RMDs). Understanding them allows you to make informed decisions about your financial future, ensuring you maximize benefits and minimize taxes. You will also read about BC parents who established a charitable gift annuity (CGA). During times of market uncertainty, CGAs may be worth considering. Not only do they provide you with a steady income, but they also offer the opportunity to support the areas of Boston College that are important to you. It’s a win-win.

As many of you know, bequests and beneficiary designations are among the easiest and most flexible forms of gift planning—and you’ll read about a couple who established an especially meaningful bequest with family ties. 

With fall on the horizon, mark your calendar for National Estate Planning Awareness Week, October 21–27, 2024. Once again, we will offer a free estate planning guide to help keep important contact information in one convenient place. 

Please reach out to me or a member of my team at 877-304-SHAW or giftplanning@bc.edu to discuss the many ways to support BC.