Thomas E. Grahek '61

After first hearing a presentation about the benefits of planned giving nearly a decade ago, Tom recently decided to give Geneva a charitable gift annuity. "I figured this would be a good way to help young people of the future," he says. "First and foremost, I want them to be disciples for Christ."

As a public school teacher, Tom shared his love of languages with thousands of students. Graduating from Geneva College with degrees in English and Latin, he continued his education by studying German while completing graduate work. Tom then went on to teach all three subjects in a career that spanned 42 years.

Throughout that time, Tom always made sure his students gained firsthand experience with the material by taking them on trips to Europe: "They got to see what they learned about in the classroom and understand how the threadwork of their studies has made its way to the modern world."

With many study abroad offerings, internship opportunities and community outreach programs, Tom notes that this type of hands-on approach is one of the greatest strengths of a Geneva education today. "I think those things are all good because they make the students more outward," he explains. "Nobody can see the world as it is. We see it as we are. So the more outward someone becomes, he or she becomes a better, more complete person."

Tom's desire is to continue helping students develop an outward perspective; that's why he keeps giving back through a charitable gift annuity.

For more information about how you, too, can help today's students through planned giving, visit geneva.edu/give or contact the Office of Planned Giving at 724.847.6614.