At the end of last week, I went to Burlington, Vermont for a significant event. A friend and long-time client of my dad's, Elinor Bennett, left virtually all of her estate for the benefit of Vermont medical students at UVM. The University made an official announcement of Elinor's gift last Friday.Elinor was twice-widowed. She had no children or siblings. To make a legacy for her family, she envisioned and laid the groundwork for a generous program. Her foresight will benefit UVM's College of Medicine and its students for generations. The Burlington community, which Elinor loved, will benefit as well. As one of the med school's assistant deans noted, when a person leaves you something in her will, she's elevated you to the status of family.
Elinor was a smart lady, and the program she left behind reflects that intelligence. The income earned on her multi-million dollar estate will be used to award loans to medical students who are Vermont residents. The loans are without interest and repayment doesn't begin until after a student finishes residency and training. That's the best kind of loan you can have. Elinor understood that med school graduates often have significant debt. Until a graduate finishes interning and earns more money, that debt can be a burden. She wisely tailored her loan program to address this.
Elinor did, however, want the students to repay the funds rather than receive an outright scholarship. The main reason was so future students will have access to additional monies for these loans. It should be a self-perpetuating program a few decades from now. Conceivably, all in-state med students at UVM could have their tuition paid by these loans some day. This, in turn, will make other resources available to out-of-state students.
In addition to Elinor's generosity and foresight, she also possessed humility. People urged her to make this extraordinary gift public during her lifetime so she could enjoy the spotlight. She didn't want that. In fact, she established the loan program in honor of her parents and first husband. She just wanted to give back to the community where she grew up, and to better the lives of the people there for a long time to come.
Elinor was at the Fletcher Allen Medical Center, affiliated with UVM's med school, in her final weeks. One intern who treated Elinor described her as appreciative and positive. Even with all the health issues she faced, she complained little. And she gave no indication of the wealth she had or the gift that would be made when she left this world.
So, we gathered to announce the program she devised and to tell a bit of Elinor's story, in the midst of a beautiful portrait of her. Maybe she wouldn't have even wanted that kind of recognition. But she truly deserves it--and more.
ps Elinor's gift got lots of press last week. The story was a lead article in the local paper and on the local news. Many other venues ran a story on it, too.
