Penguins and Scholarships
What do penguins and scholarships for PLNU students have in common? Not much unless you are visiting in the home of Glen and Gladys Clifton. The Cliftons have been a part of the PLNU family as students, parents and donors. In 1991 they established the Clifton Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of Gladys' father Captain Dale R. Simonson, United States Coast Guard. Since the establishment of that scholarship, many students in Music, Education or Business have benefited from the family's generosity.
The Cliftons have taken advantage of establishing an endowed scholarship by adding to it over the years. In December 2004, Mr. Clifton contacted PLNU's Office of Planned Giving. The Clifton's were considering transferring a stock that was no longer yielding the dividends they had expected. Rather than sell it and take the Capital Gains tax, they wanted to know if it could be transferred to PLNU and added to the scholarship. After assuring Mr. Clifton that this was indeed a fairly straight forward process, PLNU contacted the Clifton's broker with the transfer information. A few days later there was a significant addition to the Clifton Endowed Scholarship.
The Clifton's request demonstrates the flexibility of establishing an endowed scholarship. The originator, friends and family can easily add to the scholarship as a way of honoring the memory of a loved one and at the same time assisting deserving students in their pursuit of a quality PLNU education.
And the penguins? In the Clifton's home in a suburb of Sacramento you notice three things right away. Their love of music is reflected in a warm and inviting Music room with a grand piano, organ, horns and sheet music on stands. There are pictures of a family growing up through the years and there are penguins. Hundreds, thousands of penguins made of ceramic, wood and glass. Mrs. Clifton laughs as she explains how a small collection grew and grew as students, friends and family began giving her penguins over the years. Like the students touched by the Clifton's generosity, this special collection continues to multiply. So, the next time a student receives an endowed scholarship, remember that there is a connected PLNU family and maybe even penguins behind it.
Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
1. Bequest of cash
"I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Point Loma Nazarene University of San Diego, CA."
2. Bequest of a percent of the estate
"I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA."
3. Contingent Bequest
"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA."
