Bequest Helps Nontraditional Students at Sacred Heart
As a nontraditional student, most of Ellen Martin's memories of Sacred Heart are those of hard work and perseverance.
She was already working full time with an associate's degree when her journey at SHU began. Ellen's employer offered a tuition benefit to receive a bachelor's degree, so she started taking classes at night after work. After a couple years, she decided to take a year off from her full-time job to become a full-time student and complete her Sacred Heart degree in 12 months. Ellen moved back home, got a part-time job and received her bachelor's degree in August 1984.
Ellen had a great experience at Sacred Heart, but as a student at 23 years old, she remembers feeling old compared to her classroom peers. Ellen didn't have much time to socialize and stayed focused on her goal of graduating. Years later, Ellen went on to get an online master's degree from another university at the age of 53. She has a soft spot for adult students, as she knows just how difficult it is to juggle school with family and work obligations.
One stop along Ellen's career path after SHU was 10 years at the University of Virginia. Among the positions she held there was a role in university advancement and alumni relations. That experience taught her how important it is for alumni to give back.
Between her experience working in advancement, and studies in nonprofit management and philanthropy, Ellen is aware of planned giving and how one can make an impact with an estate plan. Through bequests to Sacred Heart and both of her children's alma maters, Ellen's goal is to help underserved and adult students, especially those in difficult situations such as single parents.
To learn how you, like Ellen, can make Sacred Heart a part of your legacy with a gift for the future, contact Stephen Auger at augers@sacredheart.edu.