Planned Giving Requires Faith and Foresight

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "Knowledge is knowing that we cannot know." To this end, when our donors inform us of their desire to share their lifelong financial achievements with Shepherd University through an estate or other planned gift, they do so with the knowledge that they will not witness the end result ? namely the generations of deserving Shepherd students who will benefit from their generosity. But rest assured such gifts can and do impact the lives and educations of our students into perpetuity.

The Robert and Jean Melvin Rissler Scholarship was created in 1987 by Robert Rissler '47 in memory of his late wife, Jean Rissler '49. Originally established in Jean's name only, Robert later changed the name of the award to reflect the couple's mutual desire to leave their estate to Shepherd through a bequest in his will. The Risslers, who had no children, also requested the Shepherd University Foundation to serve as executor of the estate, which included Jean's historic family home in Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia.

While the scholarship financially assisted numerous Shepherd students during the last 15 years of Robert's life, it was not until his passing in 2002 that the full scope of Robert and Jean's generosity came to fruition. Since that time, approximately 30 students per year benefit from awards funded through the Robert and Jean Melvin Rissler Scholarship.

"This scholarship has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies without the burden of financial stress and loans," said Avery Mendzela of Shepherdstown, who uses his 2013-14 Rissler award to pay for tuition. "It's also pushed me to keep my grades high," added the business major, noting that he has made Dean's list for the past two semesters.

Robert and Jean Rissler will never know Avery Mendzela or the other recipients of their scholarship. But they had the faith and foresight to know their planned gift would enable countless students like Avery to pursue a higher education. And that is a knowledge that transcends even the unknown.