Giving Societies

President’s Club $1,000 restricted or unrestricted gift

What is the President’s Club? The President’s Club is a circle of loyal alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends who share a deep commitment to Lake Erie College. These philanthropic leaders transform the lives of students through personal involvement and financial support.

Membership is extended to donors who contribute unrestricted gifts of $1,000 or more each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) and includes invitations to member events, special recognition and exclusive communications. However, the greatest benefit is the knowledge and satisfaction that you are directly empowering a community of leaders and learners at LEC.

Become a charter member of the President’s Club by making a member-level gift. For more information on joining the President’s Club, please call Catherine Schultz, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving 440-375-722.

Annual Membership Benefits

• Invitations to exclusive events

• A members-only printed newsletter

• Other special communications

• Special recognition including listing in the Lake Erie College Honor Roll of Donors published annually each fall and posted online.

President’s Club FAQs

Why should I become a Club member and how will my unrestricted gift help LEC students?

Giving to the President’s Club is an investment in our students’ futures. Your gift can make a difference and help grow our level of educational excellence. With many of our students receiving some form of tuition assistance, private support is essential to our students receiving the best education and experience possible while attending Lake Erie College.

Your gift will go to work immediately in core programs to support students and faculty as well as the academic and residential facilities which are integrally part of the Lake Erie College experience.

How can I make a gift and become a President’s Club member?

Membership is renewable annually and based on unrestricted gifts of $1,000 and greater made during the College’s fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Gifts may be made with one payment or by multiple gifts within the College’s fiscal year. Gifts can be made by check, credit card payments, recurring bank drafts, or by transfer of securities and property. Credit card gifts may be made by calling 440.375.7223 or online by clicking herehere.

Will my spouse be a member?

Both spouses are members of the President’s Club with a joint gift of $1,000 or more within a fiscal year.

Will employers’ matching gift count toward membership?

Yes, your employer’s gift will count toward your annual President’s Club membership.

Tower Society $1,000,000

What is the Tower Society?

Lake Erie College’s most prestigious giving society, the Tower Society recognizes those who, over their lifetime, have committed $1 million or more to Lake Erie College. Through their generosity and transformational gifts, these dedicated and loyal supporters serve as the foundation for building a strong future at Lake Erie College.

When appropriate, we recognize these donors for their generosity by dedicating buildings, academic chairs, in their names, One example is as Royce Hall for the Fine and Performing Arts, dedicated in recognition of a $1 million gift presented by Deborah Goodrich Royce `80 and her husband, Charles M. Royce.

Tower Society members are often provided behind-the-scenes experiences at special events and other College functions. These experiences are tailored to highlight the impact of the donors’ gifts and the excellence found throughout Lake Erie College.

Lifetime Benefits

• Participation in annual induction ceremony and VIP event with President

• Invitations to exclusive events

• VIP seating at select cultural and athletic events

• A members-only printed newsletter

• Quarterly electronic newsletter with presidential updates, campus news and special events and other special communications

• Special recognition including a personal Cornerstone Society plaque and pin, and listing on the Tower Society perpetual donor plaque and in the Lake Erie College Honor Roll of Donors.

Tower Society FAQs

What gifts qualify for the Tower Society?

A combination of outright and planned gifts totaling $1,000,000.

How have Tower Society gifts transformed the College?

• Renovated and re-energized spaces (specific examples)

• Financial support for students

• Endowed need-based scholarships

Reuben Hitchcock Society Documented Planned Giving at any level

What is the Reuben Hitchcock Society?

Named after one of the founders and a trustee of Willoughby Female Seminary, this Society honors those who establish a legacy at Lake Erie College through wills, estates, and other planned giving. These legacy gifts, often the largest to the College, offer financial stability and ensure that countless students will benefit from the gift for years to come.

Lifetime Membership Benefits

• Invitations to Lake Erie College events

• Exclusive communications from the College

• Special recognition for your contribution at events, listing in the Lake Erie College Honor Roll of Donors and exclusive Reuben Hitchcock Society membership pin

Reuben Hitchcock FAQs

What gifts qualify?

A planned gift is made through a legal instrument that is often deferred until a future date, such as a will, trust, gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, or life insurance. An outright cash gift or pledge is not considered a “planned gift”.

Why should I become a Society member?

Planned giving is a vote of confidence in Lake Erie’s ability to sustain it rich tradition of excellence and a sign of support for the many generations of students who will discover the College in years to come.

Share Your Legacy With Us

Please let us know if you’ve already included a gift for Lake Erie College in your estate plans. Providing us with documentation is the best way to ensure that your gift is used in the way you intend. Please send us an email at alumni@lec.edu.

For More Giving Questions, Contact the Advancement Office