A Lifelong Love for Learning

The heartfelt endorsement of a close friend from high school and church first led Randy Horman Wiseman '73 to McKendree University. Her friend, who had enrolled a year earlier, was enthusiastic about everything McKendree had to offer, from the engaging campus life to the strong sense of community. Additionally, as a member of First United Methodist Church in Metropolis, Randy received further encouragement from parents, the pastor, and several church members who were McKendree alumni. This sense of faith and fellowship laid the foundation for a fulfilling experience at the university where Randy earned her Elementary Education degree.

Randy fondly remembers playing "school" in her basement as a child, where she and her friends would take turns as the teacher. "Those pretend lessons sparked in me a lifelong desire to make teaching a reality," she said. McKendree provided the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience she needed to confidently step into her first classroom of five-year-old children. Today, she is delighted to support the university's education programs, paving the way for future Bearcats to excel as teachers.

Randy recognized an opportunity to give back after learning about the tax benefits associated with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), also known as an IRA charitable rollover gift. "Having attained the required age of at least 70½, I realized I could reduce my federal income tax obligation and make a charitable contribution at the same time - a win/win concept," Randy said. "And what better recipient than McKendree University, my beloved alma mater?"

Randy recommends this type of gift to others. "If you are 70½ years of age, you can make a QCD and use your required minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRA as a tax-free gift to McKendree University - a great way to benefit McKendree and yourself! It is a simple process," she said. She encourages anyone interested to contact their financial administrator to make a gift from their IRA to McKendree. Your IRA funds will be directly transferred to McKendree to help continue to fulfill its mission.

As McKendree University approaches its Bicentennial, Randy looks forward to celebrating and cherishing its rich legacy and the personal connections that have been formed. She believes that financial support from alumni and friends is vital in ensuring that McKendree, the oldest institution of higher education in Illinois, will continue to provide students with an academic experience of the highest quality for many generations.