UNCW Dedicates Abrons Student Health Center
5/30/2007 1:50:33 PM
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Wilmington, N.C. - The University of North Carolina Wilmington recently dedicated the Abrons Student Health Center to honor a Wilmington couple for establishing a planned gift that will ultimately provide the university with $1.5 million.
Bert and Chris Abrons donated $100,000 to UNC Wilmington to fund the premium payments on a $1.5 million life insurance policy. The UNCW Division of Student Affairs is the beneficiary of the policy.
"UNC Wilmington is tremendously proud to honor the Abrons family for their generosity," Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo said. "They exhibited remarkable vision, and a true commitment to the university, when they recommended an effective strategy to transform their donation into significant support for UNCW's future."
Chris Clapp, the university's director of planned giving, said using a gift to fund a life insurance policy is one of many planned giving options available to help donors maximize their giving potential and, often, receive tax benefits for their contribution.
The Abrons family has many connections to UNCW. Bert Abrons, a physician, served as the Student Health Center's medical director for five years and continues to work there as a member of the medical team. In addition, Dr. Abrons owns a private family practice office in Wilmington. Chris and the Abrons' daughter Rachel are alumni. They both graduated in 2005 - Chris earned a master's degree in liberal studies and Rachel received a bachelor's degree in social work. The couple has many areas of interest on campus, including Seahawk athletics and the Adult Scholars program.
"All gifts are important; this one is particularly special because it comes from members of our own UNCW family," said Pat Leonard, vice chancellor of student affairs. "The gift and faith in us shown by the Abrons family was a humbling experience. It humbled me to know that one of our staff believed so much in what we were doing that he and his family wanted to endow a portion of our future. Nothing in my professional experience had prepared me for that very significant gesture."
The Abrons Student Health Center is on the second floor of Westside Hall, which was extensively renovated in 2005. The student health center supports students' academic achievement by providing convenient, cost-effective health care combined with health education in a manner consistent with the educational mission of UNCW.
"Chris and I have been so impressed with the care and personal attention students receive at UNCW, especially from my colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs," Bert Abrons said. "UNCW offers a high-quality, well-rounded education, and it is an honor to have our name associated with the university."
Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, news and media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu
For more information about planned giving:
Chris Clapp, director of planned giving, 910.962.3214 or clappc@uncw.edu
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Chris and Bert Abrons
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