Planning Your Gift

Hamilton Remembered

Throughout the years, bequests have contributed substantially to Hamilton’s success in building its endowment, providing much-needed funds for scholarship aid, faculty support and improved academic facilities and services. Today, testamentary gifts from alumni, parents and other friends help assure Hamilton’s continued strength and standing among the nation’s leading colleges. With grateful appreciation, we acknowledge the following bequests received from July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012.

Under Will from a trust established by Wilmer E. Bresee ’31, H’81 of Oneonta, N.Y., two unrestricted distributions totaling $818,612, by board resolution, to be used for arts facilities. Following his graduation from Hamilton, Mr. Bresee enrolled in a post-graduate program at the New York University School of Retailing and then joined the business his grandfather began, Bresee’s Department Store in Oneonta. His work was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, where he learned and taught Chinese. He returned to the department store where he eventually served as president and later chairman.

From the estate of Dorothy D. Bruins, widow of John H. Bruins ’18, of Washington, D.C., and mother of William H. Bruins ’53, a bequest that deeded her primary residence to Hamilton for unrestricted purposes subject to a life estate for her son Barton Bruins. The home appraised for $1,025,000. When it is eventually sold, the proceeds will be added to quasi endowment and by board resolution will establish The John H. Bruins ’18 Scholarship. John Bruins served as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Intelligence in World War I and entered the State Department Foreign Service in 1923, serving for more than 30 years. He had a distinguished career and gained a reputation as one who could handle difficult overseas assignments ably.

From the estate of Marjory B. Corwin, widow of William H. Corwin ’33 of Keuka Park, N.Y., a bequest of $2,500 for general purposes. Mr. Corwin resided and worked in Rochester for 50 years holding a variety of positions with Taylor Instrument Companies and Sybron Corp. In retirement, he served on the Industrial Management Counciland Rochester Area Career Education Council.

From the estate of Richard W. Couper ’44 of Clinton, N.Y., a distribution of $50,571.68 to be added to The Patricia Pogue and Richard Watrous Couper Library Fund. Previous distributions total $3,678,890.78. A distinguished educational leader and a charter and life trustee, Mr. Couper was Hamilton’s first administrative vice president and served as acting president from 1966 to 1968. In 1971, he was appointed as the first full-time president and chief executive officer of the New York Public Library; later, he became president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Following his retirement, Mr. Couper returned to Clinton with his wife Patsy, where they continued, and she continues, to serve the College in countless and generous ways.

From the estate of Alfred L. DeSanctis ’39 of Massillon, Ohio, $3,407,155.50 was added to a trust that will make annual distributions to Hamilton. Dr. DeSanctis excelled in languages and, while serving in military intelligence, the U.S. Army capitalized on his linguistic skills sending him to Stanford University to study Dutch and Malay. Following his military service, he returned to College Hill to take additional science classes before attending Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where he earned his M.D. degree. He settled in Massillon where he had a medical and surgical practice for more than 40 years.  Ever appreciative of his Hamilton education and highly supportive of the College, he established the DeSanctis Family Scholarships to which these distributions will be added.

From the estate of Muriel Doyle, widow of David Doyle ’39 of Kendall, N.Y., an unrestricted bequest of $650,000 added to quasi endowment and, by board resolution, temporarily restricted for scholarships in Mr. Doyle’s name with preference given to students from Orleans County. After serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. Doyle obtained his master’s degree in educational administration from Columbia University.  He retired as the superintendent of the Kendall Central Schools, a position he held for 25 years.

Under Will from a trust established by Antoine du Bourg ’53 of Newport, R.I., two unrestricted distributions totaling $1,313,206.12 were added to quasi endowment and, by board resolution, temporarily restricted for scholarships in Mr. du Bourg’s name for students who are interested in music and the arts. Following graduation, Mr. du Bourg spent 47 years teaching physics and music at the Pingry School of New Jersey where he encouraged numerous students to attend Hamilton. He then served on the faculty at St. George’s School in Rhode Island where he continued to teach music, giving lessons to beginning musicians and directing the brass ensemble.

Under Will from a trust established by Evelyn Ferry Jadot of El Paso, Texas, a distribution of $40,457 in memory of Albert and Evelyn Ferry Jadot. The trust makes periodic distributions of excess income to Hamilton. Mrs. Jadot was the daughter of former President Frederick C. Ferry.

Under Will from a trust established by Marjorie Gordon of Belvedere, Calif., widow of Robert K. Gordon ’42, a distribution of $25,000 for general purposes. Mr. Gordon was a loyal alumnus who was immensely grateful to Hamilton for the financial aid support he received as a student. He retired from a career at Chevron in 1986, and spent many years active in community and political affairs in Belvedere.

Under Will from a trust established by Eleanor F. Green of Schenectady, N.Y., additional unrestricted distributions of $13,966.42 to be added to the $496,589.07 previously received. Mrs. Green’s husband, John G. Green, president of the Daily Gazette Co. and publisher of the Schenectady Gazette until his death in 1964, received an honorary doctorate from Hamilton in 1958. The bequest has been assigned to scholarship purposes.

From the estate of Charles C. Huber ’53 of Bronxville, N.Y., a bequest of $10,000 for general purposes.  Mr. Huber spent 35 years with JCPenney as a buyer and inventory control merchandiser in menswear. A loyal alumnus, he also served in many volunteer roles for Hamilton including as a member of the Alumni Council, class gift chair, campaign volunteer, reunion planning chair and class correspondent.

Under Will from a trust established by Robert T. Morrison ’31 and Ruth V. Morrison of Vero Beach, Fla., a distribution of $1,000 for general purposes. After serving in the U.S. Army and obtaining a M.S. from the School of Social Work at Columbia University, Mr. Morrison had a long career as a psychiatric social work administrator.

Under Will from a trust established by Richmond E. Thompson ’25 of Valley Stream, N.Y., an unrestricted distribution of $1,750,000 following the death of his daughter Marcia T. Dawson to be added to the $440,000 previously received. The funds were added to quasi endowment and, by board resolution, are temporarily restricted for scholarships. Soon after graduation, Mr. Thompson bought into a small insurance agency in Valley Stream, which he developed and managed until his retirement more than 50 years later.

Under Will from a trust established by Pauline W. Peternella, of San Diego, additional distributions totaling $495.98 to be used for scholarship purposes in honor of Mrs. Peternella’s first husband, Albert Haines Wallace, Class of 1912.