Westminster Experience Inspires Gifts for the Future

John Jones '74 had spent only one year of middle school at Westminster when his family relocated to Germany, but his parents could already see the benefits of the Westminster experience.

Knowing they'd be back in Atlanta in a few years, John's parents wanted to make sure John would be able to return to the School to finish out his high school career. Dr. Pressly gave them his word. After three years abroad, John returned to campus for his junior and senior years and jumped right back into campus life.

"I remember working on the Lynx. That experience meant a lot to me," John says. "As a returning student, that gave me the opportunity to re-engage with the community."

American history and English were among his most memorable classes-notably AP American History with Jack Pickard in the midst of the Watergate Scandal. English teachers such as Pat Rudolph, David Lauderdale, John Roberts, and Lynn Vanderbrake had a lasting impact on John by introducing influential books and essays and helping him develop as a writer.

"One of the things I value most from my time at Westminster was how well my writing abilities were honed and cultivated, which served me in college, law school, and still today through my law practice," John says.

John has used those writing skills to give back to Westminster. In the early '90s, he was part of a volunteer editorial advisory board that helped out with the alumni magazine, and he currently serves as the historian of the Alumni Board.

An attorney specializing in trusts and estates, John has also given back to the School by acting as a sounding board for the Office for Institutional Advancement on its planned giving program-and by planning gifts of his own. As part of his personal estate plans, he has made gifts to the School that align with his values and the School's priorities.

"Investing in young people is essential to the future of our society," John says. "Most of my giving is oriented toward education or youth programming in some way."

John initiated his first planned gift during the Teaching for Tomorrow campaign to establish the John R. Jones Jr. Financial Aid Fund to help broaden access to the Westminster experience.

"I have believed for a long time that the kind of education Westminster offers should be more broadly available," he says. "It's a concern to me that as tuition continues to increase, the School will be considered out of reach for many."

More recently, John has honored his parents by naming a classroom and the Upper School writing lab in their memory through an additional planned gift.

Including Westminster in his estate plans was a logical outgrowth of John's long-standing relationship and engagement with the School-and it's something anyone can do, even if they don't have a background in estates and trusts. People interested in philanthropy should talk with their financial advisor, he says, to learn about their options.

"I encourage my fellow alumni to explore different ways they can benefit the institutions they care about but also preserve a benefit for their family," John says. "A common way to do that is through a charitable remainder trust (CRT), which I did last year."

John's parents placed a great value on education, as evidenced by their commitment to his Westminster education, and John is continuing that legacy through planned giving. With these gifts in place, the impact of his generosity on Westminster will continue for years to come.

To learn more about ways you can support The Westminster Schools' future, contact Lauren Flores at 404-609-6438 or [email protected] .