Westmont Magazine A Timely Bequest

A $1.6 million bequest from a 1957 alumna will benefit both the Westmont endowment and the drive to raise funds for two new buildings on
campus. This significant gift came just in time to be included in Westmont’s record-setting capital campaign, Embracing the Past, Ensuring the Future.

The bequest — the largest ever received from an alum — came from the estate of Carolyn Ruth DeYoung, who attended Westmont in 1956 and 1957. She died in December 2000 at the age of 64 after suffering from long-term health problems. She majored in psychology then worked as a secretary in the San Mateo area where she lived, according to her attorney. Her parents, who were longtime supporters of the college, pre-deceased her, and she never married and had no children.

DeYoung belonged to Westmont’s Wallace Emerson Society, which recognizes individuals who have made a provision for the college in their will or estate plan. Emerson served as the college’s first president.

“We are so delighted to receive this gift,” said Westmont President Stan D. Gaede ’69. “The fact that it comes from a fellow alum means a great deal to me personally. It is so encouraging to see support from alums continue to increase. As more and more alums and friends make provision for Westmont in their wills and estate plans, we will be able to build a significant endowment.”

In keeping with college policy, the board of trustees decided to allocate a significant portion of DeYoung’s gift to the endowment. Part of the funds will also be used to fund two new academic buildings included in the capital campaign. They are the Stephen and Denise Adams Center for the Visual Arts and the David K. Winter Hall for the Sciences.