Gladys Kelly — Lifelong Commitment to ONU's Mission

Gladys (Campbell) Kelly’s Olivet experience unfolded during the closing years of the Great Depression. Perhaps it was the financial turmoil of the time that caused her to take notice of Dr. T.W. Willingham, Olivet’s president, whose financial acumen successfully navigated Olivet through those trying years.

The impression that Dr. Willingham left upon Gladys was profound and longstanding. When she graduated from Olivet in 1940, she immediately began to put her own financial prowess into action through hard work, frugal budgeting, and carefully investing her savings.

Because of her prudence, Gladys has been able to give generously to her church and to Olivet in recent years. She is particularly fond of giving through Charitable Gift Annuities because this method offers her immediate tax deductions as well as guaranteed income for life. In the last 15 years, Gladys has established 20 Charitable Gift Annuities that have collectively funded an endowed scholarship that will benefit worthy Olivet students for generations to come.

Gladys is an admirable example of faithful, Christian stewardship. She has worked hard, saved and is now able to enjoy the fruit of her labor while supporting her alma mater. She says, “I have found that Gift Annuities are the ideal way to support the scholarship, gain tax relief, and provide guaranteed income. It also gives me great joy to know my gifts will benefit students for years to come – even after I’m gone.”

Indeed, many remarkable students will receive an Olivet education as a result of her generosity – a generosity enabled by gracious and wise stewardship.
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