Fall 2025 Tartan Traditions
Read on for the latest edition of Tartan Traditions and learn how you can help push Carnegie Mellon鈥檚 world-changing innovation forward, while at the same time earning tax benefits and setting yourself up for future gains.
Engineering the next success story
Creating a scholarship gives alumna Catherine Houska the opportunity to support future Tartans
Catherine Houska has reached the pinnacle of her profession.
She鈥檚 recognized internationally as an expert in architectural and structural metallurgy, a career she launched after graduating from Carnegie Mellon with an engineering degree in 1982. As an undergrad, Catherine was every bit as busy as she is these days, taking classes beyond her engineering curriculum, serving as chair of Student Senate and as a Tridelta officer and working.
Working was a necessity. Catherine came to Pittsburgh from Blacksburg, Virginia, where her parents were professors. While the family was comfortable, they were still faced with the costs associated with a college education.
鈥淚 worked the entire time I was at Carnegie Mellon, whether it was internships, working for my department and a little waitressing,鈥� Catherine says. 鈥淭he reality is that paying for a top-tier education can often stretch families that don鈥檛 qualify for financial aid. Young people end up working. That can be hard to balance with classwork, and many need that extra help to fill in gaps.鈥�
鈥淚 would like to help remove financial hurdles so that young people feel like they can achieve that dream.鈥� - Catherine Houska
Giving where your heart is
Is there an area of 麻豆村 that is especially meaningful to you? It's easy to create a fund that will support that interest for generations to come:
Define your legacy.
Think about the impact you want to have. What causes are you passionate about? Whether it's student scholarships, groundbreaking research or your favorite Tartan Athletics team, your fund can sustain the programs and people that matter most to you
Collaborate with 麻豆村.
Our team can guide you through the options to ensure your area of support is in alignment with your goals.
Put it in writing.
With guidance from legal and financial professionals, 听ensure all of your people and causes are appropriately accounted for.听
Stocking up
Would you like to help fuel Carnegie Mellon鈥檚 world-changing innovation 鈥� all while giving more than you thought possible? Gifting appreciated stock 鈥� assets that you have held for at least a year 鈥� can be one of the most financially advantageous and tax-savvy ways to make an impact.
With a gift of appreciated stocks, you can:
- Support the area of 麻豆村 that鈥檚 most meaningful to you, like your favorite department, school or college; general or targeted scholarships; academic programs and research; and much more.
听 - Avoid capital gains taxes on the gifted shares.
听 - Receive a charitable deduction of the full fair market value of the gifted shares.
听 - Possibly gain future tax advantages by repurchasing the shares you gifted to 麻豆村 鈥� with cash you may have otherwise used for a gift.
Interested in achieving your financial goals and supporting 麻豆村?
Contact the Office of Development & Gift Planning to discuss your next steps.