House of Distinction
Doc Pattison’s Charitable Gift Annuity Was a Win-Win Solution to a Perplexing Problem
For Gene “Doc” Pattison, the question following his retirement in 2000 after 36 years as a member of the English faculty and 40 years as advisor to Tau Kappa Epsilon was simple yet perplexing: What should he do with his house?
Purchased in 1971, his longtime residence on Harvard Street was becoming too difficult to maintain. The walks from his house to campus and the faculty dining room were harder to manage. And, because of health issues, a move to his current residence at Masonic Pathways was eminent.
Bob Murray, Alma’s director of planned giving and a former student, along with current TKEs Kirk Smith and Greg Hatcher, came forward with a solution.
“Bob came to me and said, ‘Because you are worried about this, let’s do something about the house.’ And he recommended a charitable gift annuity,” said Pattison. “It’s a better way to do things. I receive a small income from the annuity, and the College benefits from the sale of my house.”
For Doc Pattison, the result was peace of mind. He funded the charitable gift annuity in 2005 by donating his house to the College, which sold the property and invested the principle. As part of the agreement, Doc Pattison receives an annual income from the earnings. He also received a charitable deduction on his taxes.
“It was a good solution for him in a difficult real estate market,” said Murray. “He had health issues and a lot of worries about the house. Being able to take a significant concern off his plate was very helpful.”
The majority of Pattison’s life has revolved around Alma College. He enrolled as a student, graduating in 1956 with a double major in English and psychology, serving one year as editor of the Almanian. He went on to the University of Michigan for his Ph.D. in English and later to the Harvard Divinity School, where he earned a bachelor of divinity degree. Then he was in the market for a teaching position.
“I got a nibble from a school in North Carolina, but I wrote a letter to Sam Cornelius at Alma asking about a position,” he recalled. “The provost said he would love to have me as a candidate and asked me to visit campus. I talked to President Swanson, who said the worst part of my application was my alma mater. Nonetheless, I was hired and tenured in three years.”
In addition to his teaching, Pattison’s biggest campus impact was his 40 years of service as advisor to Tau Kappa Epsilon.
“It was my undergraduate chapter,” he said. “When I arrived, they were the most sporty and successful chapter. At that time, they gave out bid cards in the Chapel. If you wanted to join, you signed the bid card. I joined and then receded to the background.
“When I returned to Alma as a faculty member, I was invited to a cookout at the fraternity house. After a year or so, they asked me to join the body of advisors. Over the years, I was the last advisor standing. By 1975 I started getting to the national meetings,” he said.
He estimates that he has advised more than 1,000 TKEs over the years. In January 1999 he was inducted into the Chapter Advisory Hall of Fame during the organization’s centennial conclave.
“He helped shape a lot of young leaders,” said Murray.
Pattison also was financially supportive of the College. He annually supported the ALMA Fund and pledged gifts for a variety of other causes. His name is on the plaque at the Remick Heritage Center for his support of the performing arts facility.
His charitable gift annuity supports the College’s Open Windows Campaign. Launched in October 2006, the Campaign has achieved 83.9 percent of the $35.25 million fund-raising goal as of March 17. The Campaign seeks to strengthen Alma’s endowment to help support academic programs, faculty professorships, student scholarships and facility improvements.
Posted: Tue, April 15th, 2008 at 8:54AM
