Spring 2026 Tartan Traditions
Read on for the latest edition of Tartan Traditions, and learn how to ensure a long-term legacy with smart estate planning.
Forging a new financial path
For Barb Woodruff, giving back to Carnegie Mellon always seemed to add up.
As a high-schooler growing up in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota, Barb already knew two things: She wanted to pursue a degree 鈥攁nd a career 鈥� in mathematics, and she would need help paying for her college education.
Carnegie Mellon satisfied both requirements.
鈥淚 knew I wanted to go away for college,鈥� Barb says. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 recall how I heard about Carnegie Mellon, but it was one of three or four that I applied to and I got the best financial aid package from them.鈥�
鈥淭he idea of helping students as I was helped really appealed to me. And setting up a scholarship was actually much easier than I thought it would be.鈥� 鈥� Barb Woodruff (MCS 1975)
Estate planning is as easy as...
Inventory Your Assets.
Consider what could be included in your will and estate plan, such as your home and other real estate, retirement and investment accounts, personal property such as art or vehicles, savings and checking accounts, or savings bonds.
Seek Professional Counsel.
Choose advisors to help distribute your assets to the people and causes that are closest to your heart. They could be an estate planning attorney, financial advisor, insurance agent, family member or representative of an organization you'd like to support.
Set Your Priorities.
Think about the people, places and programs that are most important to you and the type of legacy you want to leave. A gift of any size is a statement about what and who you value.
Name Your People.
Select both the people who will receive assets or income from your estate and the executors who will be given the responsibility of distributing your estate鈥檚 assets. If possible, consider choosing different individuals for both groups.
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Secure your future. Honor your legacy.
Get started today
We are here to help
Are you interested in creating a scholarship through your donor-advised fund or retirement account?听
Contact Mick Koster in the Office of Development and Planned Giving at 412-268-5346 or mickkoster@andrew.cmu.edu.
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