Helping the Helpers

When a major loss threatened the stability of Lydia “Dia” Copeland’s estate, she knew she needed to find a way to secure her future finances. A few weeks later, Copeland attended a gift planning workshop hosted by the Texas A&M Foundation. Through the speakers and breakout sessions featured at the event, Copeland found the financial advice and assurance she needed, learning not only how to care for her estate, but also how to use her assets to serve others.

“Being around a group of people who were genuinely committed to learning and caring for others felt so empowering,” she said. “During the conference, I was struck by how much Texas A&M University gives to the entire Brazos Valley. I felt like the attendees were being invited to join in on giving back.”
 

Inspired by the patients she cared for during her time as a nurse, Copeland felt strongly about mentoring Aggie health sciences students on building relationships of trust with their patients. To take her support for students a step further, she began to consider financial ways of giving, finding that a planned gift was the best way to make her goals a reality.

By naming the Foundation as beneficiary of her retirement account, Copeland’s gift will establish an excellence endowment for the Health Science Center and a scholarship for health administration students in the School of Public Health. “Seeing the impact that health students have on their broader community prompted me to support these areas,” she said. “I hope my gifts allow students to develop and share their talents as they care for their future patients.” 

Gift Planning Workshop

Everyone has a legacy. Yet, it’s the decisions we make while alive that determine what that legacy will be after our lifetime. In many cases, women face a variety of unique challenges when it comes these decisions. As a result, the Texas A&M Foundation began hosting gift planning workshops focused on supporting women in 2012. Created by women and for women, the workshops provide the necessary tools to navigate life’s financial uncertainties with renewed confidence.

As many as nine out of 10 women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives. Women live longer than men, and with that longer life comes additional planning concerns to consider, such as ensuring their assets can last for a longer period and being the ultimate decision-maker on all estate decisions. This makes estate planning a crucial part of every woman’s retirement and financial planning.

These annual gift planning workshops are free events featuring informative breakout sessions and inspiring keynote speakers. Originally started in College Station, the workshops have since expanded to Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. There is something for everyone—from beginner finance topics to specialized topics for women in transitional life stages. Regardless of your situation, the Texas A&M Foundation hopes you’ll consider attending a future workshop and joining the growing group of strong, knowledge-seeking women who are taking charge of their finances.