Retired Teacher Puts Heart, Hope into 'Unexpected' Gift

Since its launch in 2002, Act Six scholars at Whitworth have served in many key leadership roles on campus—including student body president.

During her 30 years teaching in urban schools, Gretchen Harrell '60, encountered too many students who had the intellectual ability to go on to college but lacked the necessary family support, study skills, or financial resources. When she heard about a successful program equipping and supporting students from inner-city Tacoma and Spokane to attend Whitworth University, her alma mater, she got excited.

"Based on all of my experience, the more I learned about the Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative, the more I knew Act Six would work," Gretchen says. "The training and preparation the students get before enrolling and the support they get from peers and staff once they get to campus really increase their chances to succeed."

Gretchen proved her enthusiasm with an $800,000 gift to create a charitable trust. The trust provides her an income for life and will eventually create an endowment to help fund Act Six scholarships and support Whitworth's commitment to provide full-tuition scholarships for Act Six Scholars.

Gretchen's values led her to consider this gift, and she never expected to be able to provide such a lasting impact. She believes that many people with modest incomes and appreciated real estate may benefit from the various planned-giving arrangements at Whitworth. Holly Norton, director of The Whitworth Foundation, advised her on the financial and tax benefits of creating her legacy.

Learn How You Can Help
If you would like to help more students receive a Whitworth education, consider making a planned gift through your estate. Contact Stacey Kamm Smith at 509.777.4388 or skammsmith@whitworth.edu to learn more about your many gift options.