Planning Your Gift

Hamilton Remembered

Throughout the years, bequests have contributed substantially to Hamilton’s success in building its endowment, providing much-needed funds for scholarship aid, faculty support and improved academic facilities and services. Today, testamentary gifts from alumni and other friends help assure Hamilton’s continued strength and standing among the nation’s leading colleges. With grateful appreciation, we acknowledge the following bequests received from July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011.

Under Will from the Taylor S., Class of 1914, and Patti Abernathy Trust of Kansas City, a distribution of $10,000, as an annual income payment, to be distributed in perpetuity. An unrestricted bequest, the funds support the Patti and Taylor Abernathy Scholarship, with preference given to students from the Midwest.

Under Will from a trust established by Paull F. Baum, Class of 1909, of Durham, N.C., two distributions totaling $107,038.81 for the Paull Franklin Baum Book Fund. Mr. Baum received a Ph.D. from Harvard University and was professor emeritus of English at Duke University.

From the estate of Rosemae Wells Campbell, widow of William T. Campbell, Jr. ’29, of Colorado Springs, Colo., a bequest of her primary residence. The home was sold and the proceeds of $124,786.98 were added to the Physical Plant Fund. Mr. Campbell received his law degree from St. Lawrence University and was an editor with Shephard’s McGraw-Hill for 40 years, retiring as editor-in-chief in 1973.

Under Will from a lead trust established by Esther W. Couper of Binghamton, N.Y., widow of Edgar W. Couper ’20 and mother of Richard W. Couper ’44, a distribution of $9,664.49 for the The Couper Family Scholarship. Previous distributions from the lead trust, bequests and two charitable remainder trusts total $1,440,531.37. Throughout her lifetime, Mrs. Couper was a dedicated community volunteer. In 1997, just prior to her 98th birthday, she was the speaker at Class & Charter Day. Shortly thereafter, the College established the Esther Watrous Couper Presidential Award to honor individuals who demonstrate exemplary interest in and support of Hamilton and selected Mrs. Couper as the inaugural recipient.

From the estate of Richard W. Couper ’44 of Clinton, N.Y., a distribution of $47,246.49 to be added to The Patricia Pogue and Richard Watrous Couper Library Fund. Previous distributions total $3,631,644.29. A distinguished educational leader and a charter and life trustee, Mr. Couper was Hamilton’s first administrative vice president and served as acting president from 1966 to 1968. In 1971, Mr. Couper was appointed as the first full-time president and chief executive officer of the New York Public Library; later, he became the president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Following his retirement, he returned to Clinton with his wife Patsy, where they continued, and she continues, to serve the College in countless and generous ways.

Under Will from a trust established by Adam B. Denison, Jr. ’42 of Winston-Salem, N.C., a distribution of $575,253.72 for general purposes. The funds were added to quasi endowment and by board resolution are temporarily restricted for scholarships in Dr. Denison’s name. Graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Dr. Denison completed his internship at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and was a general duty medical officer in the U.S. Army. In 1948, he joined the Wake Forest University Bowman Gray School of Medicine as an instructor in physiology and was later promoted to assistant professor. In his free time, Dr. Denison was an inventor of medical devices and served as vice president of Carolina Medical Electronics, Inc.

From the estate of Katharine D. Eggleston of Jamesville, N.Y., widow of Leslie E. Eggleston ‘31, a bequest of $10,000 for general purposes. Mr. Eggleston earned a M.A. in mathematics education from Columbia University Teachers College and was a bank officer following careers in teaching and farming. Mrs. Eggleston was an alumna of Mt. Holyoke College who married her husband in the Chapel in 1936. She was the daughter of Melvin G. Dodge, Class of 1890.

Under Will from a trust established by Eleanor F. Green of Schenectady, N.Y., additional unrestricted distributions of $38,122.64 to be added to the $458,466.43 previously received. Mrs. Green’s husband, John G. Green, president of the Daily Gazette Company and publisher of the Schenectady Gazette until his death in 1964, received an honorary doctorate from Hamilton in 1958. The bequest has been assigned to scholarship purposes.

From the estate of Anthony K. Pomilio ’42 of Rome, N.Y., a bequest of $10,000 to be added to three endowed funds, two scholarships and a Music Department fund, and a life insurance policy with the proceeds of $16,657 for general purposes. Judge Pomilio served in WWII, acting as an interpreter for Italian prisoners of war, did graduate work in public administration at the University of Cincinnati and received his law degree from Cornell Law School. He was a practicing attorney who became the first family court judge in Oneida County and was elected to serve five terms. Devoted to Hamilton, he served in numerous volunteer roles.

From the estate of Charles F. Rice ’50 of Summit, N.J., father of John G. Rice ’78, a bequest of $10,000 for general purposes. After graduating from Cornell University Law School, Mr. Rice worked briefly for the Department of Justice and Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine. He joined Mobil Oil Company in 1961 where he spent the remainder of career, rising to assistant general counsel for antitrust and litigation. He retired in 1990, devoting himself to his family and volunteer activities.

From the estate of Josephine R. Pursell of Lee, Mass., sister of William G. Roehrick ’34, an additional bequest of $44,228.64 for the William G. Roehrick Art Purchase and Preservation Fund. A highly regarded theater, film and television actor, Mr. Roehrick was one of the organizers of Hamilton’s former Root Art Center. After the Emerson Gallery was established in 1982, he enthusiastically supported it by contributing many works to its collection and serving as chairman of the College’s Committee on the Visual Arts.

Under Will from a trust established by Pauline W. Peternella, of San Diego, additional distributions totaling $720.08 to be used for scholarship purposes in honor of Mrs. Peternella’s first husband, Albert H.Wallace, Class of 1912.

Under Will from a trust established by Richmond E. Thompson ’25 of Valley Stream, N.Y., an initial distribution of $440,000 following the death of his daughter Marcia T. Dawson. The funds were added to quasi endowment and by board resolution are temporarily restricted for scholarships. Soon after graduation, Mr. Thompson bought into a small insurance agency in Valley Stream, which he developed and managed until his retirement more than 50 years later.