Westmont Magazine Wallace Emerson Society

Family ties Matter to Robert Swift. A well-known certified public accountant in Orange, Calif., he has owned a business there for 40 years. His daughter, Janice Swift, became his partner in 1976, and her daughter, Heather Bjorklund Chappell ’93, also works for the family firm. Pleased with Heather’s experience at Westmont, Robert and his late wife, Margaret, created a charitable remainder annuity trust in 1992. During their lifetimes, the trust provides monthly income, and after they are gone, it will support student scholarships at Westmont. Like other Wallace Emerson Society members, the Swifts have benefitted from their provision for the college. “Giving to Westmont is a good investment,” Robert says. Not only does he appreciate the opportunity to assist worthy students, but he is grateful that under the college’s careful management, the trust has grown by 40 percent after giving him back 100 percent of his gift. “The charitable remainder trust is one of the best things the government has ever done,” he notes. “It’s a good deal for anyone who has appreciated assets.”

For more information about the Wallace Emerson Society, call Iva Schatz, Director of Planned Giving, (805) 565-6034 or (800) 998-5652.