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For Ellie Walsh '61, Her Estate Gift Is About Gratitude—for the Bryant She Once Knew and the New Bryant She Has Since Discovered

Ellie Walsh

As a young girl growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts, Ellie Walsh '61 dreamed of moving to New York City and becoming a dancer. But, her father had a more practical suggestion. After a recommendation from a high school teacher, he encouraged her to check out Bryant College, where she could pursue her interest in retail marketing.

Recalling her first visit to the Providence campus, Ellie liked that "the dorms were old mansions, with fireplaces and big wooden staircases. It was charming. Right away, I felt like I belonged there."

But, in 1958, not everyone agreed that a young woman belonged in the marketing department of a business college. In those days, she said, women were encouraged to attend schools for secretarial science, but Ellie was undeterred. Registering for classes at Bryant, she found herself among hundreds of men and just two other women. "We looked at each other and said, 'well, we'll just consider it a challenge.'"

It was challenge that helped her grow and build leadership skills, preparing her for the male-dominated business environment she entered when she graduated in 1961. "Doing well at Bryant, competing with men as an equal, gave me confidence that I could go out there and do it again."

Her varied career path included working in statistics for a business forms company. She became a buyer at a department store, and then worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines. When she married a Navy officer and moved to San Diego, she found work as an administrative assistant at ABM Industries, but she wasn't certain it was the right position for her. "I thought, now I have to start typing all over again, with this degree in my back pocket." But after several promotions and a long and successful career, she retired 41 years later as a vice president. "So, I guess Bryant taught me something!" she says, laughing.

Her gratitude for Bryant's impact on her life led to her recent decision to include the University in her estate plan, a generous gift that also reflects her excitement to be part of a Bryant that she never knew as a student.

Visiting the Smithfield campus for the first time, she was amazed. "When I saw the facilities, the curriculum, the opportunities that students had—particularly for women—I realized that I attended Bryant 50 years too early. I wanted to go back to school. I was jealous!"

Ellie has become actively involved with Bryant since moving back to Massachusetts from California several years ago, serving on the National Alumni Council. She considers herself very fortunate to have attended Bryant and wants to help ensure that today's Bryant students can graduate, as she did, without the burden of excessive student loan debt.

"I can't imagine having to face that when trying to find my first job. These bright students should be given the chance to go out and do great things." She also hopes her estate gift inspires her fellow alumni to join her and leave a lasting legacy of opportunity. "You don't have to be a millionaire and you don't have to leave a fortune. If everyone just gave what they could, it would make a big difference."

Want to join Ellie in making an impact on Bryant students? Contact Bob Ferrell at rferrell@bryant.edu or 401-232-6171 for assistance finding the right gift for you.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Bryant University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

 Bequest Language

"I, [name], of [city, state ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Bryant University [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Bryant University or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Bryant University as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Bryant University as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Bryant University where you agree to make a gift to Bryant University and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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