Alumnus uses estate plan to invest in undergraduate research

Through Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University, Wildcats worldwide are making a difference by investing in the area of K-State they care about most. For Brad Chilcoat '84, that means supporting undergraduate student research in the Department of History.

A professor once told Chilcoat's class that if they really cared about K-State, they should give back to the university once they were out in the world and successful.

That's why Chilcoat created the Department of History Undergraduate Student Research Award for upperclassmen working on a research project using K-State Libraries resources. He used cash gifts to make an immediate impact and included a bequest in his will to make the fund more permanently sustainable.

"I wanted people to be more cognizant of the resources the library has and to utilize them," Chilcoat said. "I like the fact that supporting undergraduate research ties into the 2025 initiative."

In this era of decreased public funding for education, Chilcoat sees this as his chance to give back. "Many of the tools I use that have helped me be successful in my career are tools I initially learned at K-State, especially the abilities to think critically and write," he said.

Chilcoat says that by establishing this fund, he feels he's contributing to the success of K-State and the students. He encourages others to give to the fund, supporting K-State students and the university.

Use financial and estate planning to invest in your favorite area of K-State and make your mark on the university's Innovation and Inspiration Campaign. Contact the Gift Planning Department at giftoptions@ksufoundation.org"> giftoptions@ksufoundation.org or 785-775-2000.