A Legacy Story

50 years ago, Karen Haren graduated Chapman, a school she was able to attend thanks, in part, to scholarship assistance. As an alumna, winner of Chapman’s 2014 Albert Schweitzer Award of Excellence, Town & Gown Board Member, and the most recent addition to the Legacy Circle, Karen’s Chapman roots run deep.

Karen Haren and Chapman Friends

Karen and Chapman friends – 50 years strong!

Since returning to California, Karen has plugged into Town & Gown, providing leadership on the Board and sharing her multiple decades of nonprofit expertise during the creation of the group’s strategic plan. Just this summer, Karen and her husband Terry made the impactful decision to have their legacy gift support the Town & Gown Endowed Scholarship. With doubling the Legacy Circle membership in five years being an important aspect of that plan, the Harens’ decision to designate their gift for the Town & Gown Endowed Scholarship shows that they have, as President Struppa would say, “skin in the game.”

Having participated on the Town & Gown Scholarship Committee, Karen has first-hand knowledge of how impressive these scholarship recipients are. According to Karen, “Terry and I are big believers in the value of education, and we wanted our resources to provide scholarships for students.” Karen and Terry hope that their decision will inspire others to consider their own Town & Gown legacy.

What is legacy planning?

Legacy planning provides our Chapman Family an opportunity to plan thoughtfully and create something lasting, something of the essence of themselves that continues beyond their lifetimes. Whether it’s a gift through a will, living trust, beneficiary designation, or perhaps a charitable trust, gift annuity, or life insurance policy, legacy gifts provide a solid foundation for Chapman and future generations of Panthers.

Harens and Legacy Society

Terry and Karen Haren with President Daniele Struppa

Town & Gown Legacy Circle

In more than eight years of legacy planning at Chapman, I have been blessed to work with multiple people who have chosen to create their Town & Gown legacy. These generous supporters have chosen to include a gift for Town & Gown in their estate plans. While some legacy gifts have tax advantages and can even offer lifetime incomes back to the donors and/or their loved ones, I know the true motivation is to make a meaningful difference for the mission of Town & Gown.

What Will Your Legacy Be?

As a member of Town & Gown, you are a part of Chapman’s legacy. I hope you will take time to consider how Chapman University’s Town & Gown can be a meaningful part of your legacy.

To discuss your Town & Gown legacy, please contact me at (714) 628-7311 and ljacobs@chapman.edu. David can be reached at (714) 516-4590 and dmoore@chapman.edu. You can also take advantage of our many helpful resources, such as our free Planning Your Legacy guide, by visiting chapman.edu/legacy.