Why I Give to St. Stephen's: Robert Merriam

Several years ago I arranged with St. Stephen's Episcopal School to establish financial aid endowments in honor of two of my daughters, Caroline Bennett '89 and Catherine Albert '91. Why would I make such a commitment? I did not attend St. Stephen's. Caroline and Catherine each attended the school for several years, but neither one graduated from the school. So why did I feel compelled to create these endowments?

As I thought about my answer to that question, I reminded myself of just how much St. Stephen's has been a part of my life. As a 7-year- old child, I attended St. Stephen's groundbreaking ceremony in December 1949. I have several other memories of being on campus when I was young: one when the original administration building was prominent and another when my cousin, a student at St. Stephen's, took me swimming at the school pool. As a college student at The University of Texas, I met several graduates of St. Stephen's. Through my friendships with them, I visited campus several times. Those were my early connections to St. Stephen's.

My connection grew deeper when my family and I lived in Austin in the '80s. Caroline entered St. Stephen's in 1985 as a ninth grader. The following year Catherine started as an eighth grader. That same year, I was hired as a mathematics teacher at the school. Each of us has fond memories of our time on campus; we found that St. Stephen's was far more than a place to learn. Regrettably, Caroline, Catherine and I did not complete our intended stays on campus.

This past summer, I evaluated my financial situation. I knew I wanted to do something to honor Caroline and Catherine. But, how? I decided to follow the example of my other daughter, Elizabeth, who established an endowment at her grandfather's alma mater in his name. I chose to follow a similar idea at St. Stephen's.

I contacted Lou Porter Bailey '71, director of planned giving, to discuss my financial aid fund options and decided on the following: With initial contributions, I initiated the creation of two financial aid endowments at St. Stephen's in honor of my daughters. Subsequently, as long as I am able to do so, I will continue to make an annual contribution to each endowment. Finally, my will is now worded so that, upon my death, my estate will contribute the remaining amount necessary to fully fund and establish the two endowments.

I am very pleased with what I have enacted. I wanted to honor my daughters, and I wanted to express my warm feelings for St. Stephen's Episcopal School. I feel I have accomplished that goal.

-Robert Merriam, former faculty and parent