Rev. Jim Swarts β71 landed on the ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ campus after six years in the U.S. Navy. He graduated as a much different person. βI would not have become who I am today had it not been for my experience at ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ. I became a person much more willing to give than receive.β Jimβs generous spirit and desire to provide the same opportunity for transformation have led him to include a gift to ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ in his will.
βThe ability of people to grow and change in college is something that should be rewarded and encouraged,β Jim says. βThatβs one of the reasons I give back. There are people coming in who need financial help. I paid almost nothing compared to today, and I feel an obligation to help lift up those today and tomorrow who, without the aid of the ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ Foundation, would not have the opportunity that ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ gave me.β
Jimβs ties to ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ extend beyond his experience as a studentβhe taught in the history department for 14 years. βNever in a million years would I have expected that I would be teaching at ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ. It was so rewarding; I had great academic freedom and the support and guidance of the department chair, dean, and other professors. Thatβs another reason I give back. I was recruited by Jim Williams and Bill Cook to teach. Those years meant a lot to me.β
Jim is a member of the MacVittie Legacy Society, a group of about 150 ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ donors who have documented their decision to include the college in their estate plans. He says including ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ in his will allows him to increase the impact he can have. βI had the ability to give a more substantial gift through my will than I could have given from my earnings and savings. I have more assets in my estate than in ready cash, so that will be a larger legacy for me to leave to future generations.β
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