Thoughtful Alumna Leaves a Lasting Legacy
In 1999, Janet Blackburn Dunk '37 became a charter member of Bryant's 1863 Society. After making modest annual gifts for decades, her sustained commitment will have an impact she never could have envisioned.
Dunk's $975,000 bequest intention will support the initiatives of Expanding the World of Opportunity: The Campaign for Bryant's Bold Future, on the way to surpassing its $75 million goal. Gifts to the campaign provide scholarships that increase access to a Bryant education; support faculty and programs that enrich the learning environment; provide resources to cultivate students' global perspective; and create facilities that inspire success.
A graduate of Bryant College's Secretarial Studies program, Dunk and her husband, Philip T. Dunk, Jr., were both devoted alumni to their respective schools; he was a graduate of Johns Hopkins University. A native of Connecticut, she worked and lived in Maryland for most of her life. Her bequest intention was realized in November, with the settlement of the Dunk estate.
"Janet Blackburn Dunk was a loyal and generous alumna who clearly recognized how important planned gifts are to Bryant's future," said Ed Magro, executive director of development. "Both she and her husband included their alma maters in their estate plans, demonstrating a deep trust in and commitment to their beloved schools."
Magro also noted that the Dunks used a popular estate planning strategy to make their gifts. "During their lifetimes, a couple will place assets in trust, providing income to benefit the surviving spouse for his or her lifetime. Upon the passing of the second spouse, the funds designated for charitable gifts are disbursed. It's a conscientious way to ensure that family needs are fully met while also honoring those entities that held great meaning for each of them throughout their lives."
Lend Your Support
Follow Janet Blackburn Dunk's lead and leave a lasting legacy. To learn more about supporting Bryant University with a planned gift through your estate, contact Bob Ferrell at rferrell@bryant.edu or 401-232-6171.