A tip about will gifts

According to Larry Watson, many alumni and friends support Mississippi State by including the foundation in their wills.

The Office of Development's new director of planned giving says many substantial gifts come to the university annually because alumni and friends have the foresight to remember the foundation in their wills.

However, he says, there are two important things supporters should remember about will gifts.

"We have a lot of supporters who include us in their wills and don't inform us in advance," explains Watson. "If we know Mississippi State is going to be the beneficiary of an estate gift, we can recognize these important contributors in our Old Main Society, as well as hopefully expose other supporters to the benefits of leaving the university in their wills."

Members of the Old Main Society receive recognition in Mississippi State Alumnus and are invited to attend special events held on campus for members of the university's major donor groups.

Watson also said that alumni leaving the university in their wills should remember to designate the beneficiary as the Mississippi State University Foundation so that there is no confusion as to who receives the gift when that time comes.

For more information on will gifts and other forms of planned giving, contact Watson in the Office of Development at 662-325-3410.