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Forming Lifelong Bonds

Francine and Ted Kuenzli

Alumni Ted ’67 and Francine ’66 Kuenzli connected at TU, and they’ve stayed connected with each other—and with TU—ever since. “Of course I love TU,” Francine says. “I met my husband there!”

One of TU’s standout qualities is that our small size and strong sense of community makes it especially easy for people to develop close connections with each other while here, whether it be professional, personal or even romantic. For Francine ’66 and Ted ’67 Kuenzli, the third possibility became their reality. Having first met on campus as students, the pair still reminisce about their college years with fondness.

Ted is originally from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and graduated with a degree in accounting. Like many alumni, he is astounded by how much the institution has changed in the years following his time as a student. He is proud to have witnessed his and other degree programs take shape.

“When I was there, class sizes were small,” says Ted. “All in one building, and I got to know everyone. Looking back, I feel like I got in on the ground floor of something that’s become really special. It has been a pleasure to watch it all grow over 50-some years.”

For Francine, originally from Monroeville, Ohio, the decision to attend TU was an easy one. Her mother was an alumna, and she had extended family living in the area at the time, meaning she was able to stay with them and commute each day. She, too, is grateful for the education she received and experiences had, and shares in her husband’s pride over what TU has become.

“I was enrolled in the two-year executive secretarial program, and have always felt that attending Tiffin University gave me the confidence I needed to succeed at the jobs I held during my working years."

To this day, the couple remains an active part of the Dragon Family, and have done much to ensure today’s students have access to the same quality of education they were afforded. Through their annual leadership giving, they are long-time members of the Tiffin Society. They have also made a planned gift that will one day fund two endowed scholarships—ensuring their gifts will impact students in perpetuity.

“We have been very happy to see what Tiffin University has developed into since we were there in the ’60s. The leadership teams guiding the school have made it a place to be proud of, and this has given us a reason to support further growth through donations, gifts and scholarships. This University is no longer known only as a business school, and has become a major academic entity in this part of the state. Our gifts of two scholarships were made to say thank you and to help new students attend college.”

Make an Impact at TU

Learn more about the ways you, too, can make a lasting impact at TU through a gift in your estate plan. Contact Mitchell P. Blonde, CFRE at 419.448.3584 or blondemp@tiffin.edu to learn about your giving options.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Tiffin 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

"I give to Tiffin University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883, or its successor thereto, ______________ [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 TU 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 TU 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 TU 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 TU where you agree to make a gift to TU 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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