Rourke's charitable gift annuity ensures future scholarship support

Kathleen E. Rourke ’75 is a proud Nazareth alumna who graduated with a degree in English literature. She worked as a teacher for five years before shifting to a nearly 25-year career as a publications manager and editor for Cornell Law School. Currently, Kathleen serves Tompkins County as a Red Cross community volunteer leader and is a chaplain for Hospicare and Palliative Care Services. Kathleen first got involved with the Red Cross, and so much more, as a student at Nazareth.

She credits her undergraduate experience with shaping her future. “Much of whom I have become is due to the experiences, the learning, and the people I met while a Nazareth student, and I always wanted to pay that forward.”

To achieve her goals of giving back, Kathleen started a charitable gift annuity at Nazareth. In addition to honoring her philanthropic interests, a charitable gift annuity allows her to receive guaranteed income and tax benefits. Her generosity will help bolster the Kathleen E. Rourke ’75 Scholarship, awarded annually to a Nazareth English student with demonstrated financial need. She was motivated to establish this scholarship in honor of her parents, Ruth E. and John L. Rourke, with gratitude for the support they provided her.

Kathleen is proud that this endowed scholarship will continue in perpetuity, creating opportunities and enhancing experiences for future Nazareth students. “I feel blessed that I can give back to my alma mater in this way. One of the benefits of this gift is being able to either meet the scholarship recipients in person or read their letters of thanks each year. It is incredibly rewarding to see the Nazareth tradition continuing.”

By creating the charitable gift annuity, Kathleen has ensured that her wishes and needs will be fulfilled while allowing Nazareth to open doors for future generations of Golden Flyers.