Blair Academy - Charitable Giving

Planned Giving

Portrait of a Planned Giver

A Gift of Time, Talent and Treasure
Blair is fortunate to have alumni of all ages who support the School—both financially as well as through their loyal efforts as alumni volunteers. Larry Snavely ’67 is one such extraordinary supporter. He and his wife, Molly, have named Blair as a beneficiary of their estate. Larry is also the founder of Snavely Associates, Ltd., a design firm that produces Blair’s award-winning Alumni Bulletin and many of its admissions materials. We are pleased to let Larry tell you his story and, more importantly, we are grateful for his active involvement and commitment, which have helped make Blair the school it is today.

When I reflect upon my two years at Blair, I remember a school that provided a tremendous opportunity to challenge myself academically and socially. Jim Howard led by example, while “Ferd” Marcial served as the enforcer. Both tried to instill in us the importance of learning how to be gentlemen. Foster Doan, Nevitt Bartow, Henry Cowan, Will Jones, Dick Dorn, Gordon Paul, Dick Rouse, Jon Frere, Duncan Alling, Charles Underwood, and a host of others too numerous to mention taught us that not only was learning important, but learning how to learn was just as meaningful. Each in his own colorful way, added to the fabric of life at an all-boys boarding school in the middle 1960s.

Blair Academy has been an important part of my life. Upon graduation from college, I worked at Blair for two and a half years in admissions and development. I learned a lot of what I know about private schools by working shoulder to shoulder with Jim Burcham ’59, Dennis Peachey ’62, and Peter Hahn. Early in my business career, Blair gave me the opportunity to create its admissions and alumni materials. These projects provided the foundation upon which I have been able to build our business.

Molly and I encouraged our youngest son, Christopher ’96, to attend Blair; after graduating, he earned an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Providing the opportunity for Chris, as my parents had for me, was the best investment we could make on his behalf. Blair provided Chris with the self-confidence he needed to succeed in life. He still cites Marty Miller and Rick Clarke as the best teachers he ever encountered.

As Molly and I began the estate planning process, we made a decision to remember the institutions that have played important roles in our lives. Though we believe that it is important to leave our sons and daughter(s)-in-law with something of substance, we also agreed to provide various non-profits with gifts as well. Other than the obvious tax benefit of including Blair and others in our estate plan, there is joy in knowing that in some small way our gift may benefit others in perpetuity.

More Portraits of Planned Givers:

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