Son of lifelong educators supports future teachers with gift in his will

For the son of career educators from Emporia, Kansas, there was a natural inclination to help future teachers earn degrees at Kansas State University.

"Education is the great equalizer. Teaching and public education is fundamentally what secures our freedoms and our American way of life," said Brad Stauffer, who worked 17 years in communications for Topeka Public Schools and now works for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Education and Human Sciences.

Creating a legacy

With his wife, Judy, he created the Stauffer Scholarship Fund in Education for K-State students. A bequest in the their will supplements their current giving toward the fund, allowing the couple to make a difference for students now and continue that impact after their lifetime.

"We have an annual opportunity to sit down over dinner and talk with our scholarship recipient and get to know [him or her] a little better," he said. "You can see firsthand that you're really helping somebody and they really appreciate that assistance."

Brad, a 1982 K-State graduate, expressed his excitement about leaving a legacy gift that reflects a love for K-State and support for educators.

"Ultimately, that will strengthen our schools and provide students with quality teachers. And in turn, those students will be successful," he said. "I guess you could call it the K-State circle of life."

Make a difference

To learn how you can help students with a legacy gift in your estate plan, contact your Gift Planning team at 785-775-2000 or giftoptions@ksufoundation.org.