An Experience of Lasting Impact

“We had no money as we had used all our savings to make the trip. It was tough.”

Terrence Tilley, Ph.D., remembers what it was like to be a struggling student. In 1974, Tilley took a trip to the United Kingdom for his dissertation research. Though the trip was successful, it also caused him and his family tremendous financial strain.

Years later, while serving as chair of the University of Dayton’s religious studies department, he realized his hardship was all too common. In response, he established the Graduate Students in Theology Research Fund. This endowment supports impactful research experiences for students by reducing the financial burden he endured. “It’s important for me to support research, and so having this money available for students will make a real difference for them,” said Tilley.

By establishing his fund with qualified charitable distributions from his IRA, Tilley made his gift in a way that reduced his income taxes and satisfied part of his required minimum distribution, money he would have had to take out anyway. Tilley further increased his impact on future graduate students by naming UD the beneficiary of his account, a very simple process.

“My gift was not just to celebrate research, but to fill a need I find not often filled at universities—supporting the students travelling to conduct research. I think this will really help people in our program at UD do things they would not be able to do otherwise.”

Contact Matt Borden, J.D., M.P.A. today at 937-229-4484 or mborden1@udayton.edu to join Terrence Tilley, Ph.D., in propelling our students toward success through a gift in your estate plan. And if you’ve already included UD in your will or plans, please let us know so that we can thank you and plan for the future with confidence.