Three organizations motivated Jerome Rektorik ’65, former director of development at the Texas A&M Foundation, to support the future of Texas A&M University: the Memorial Student Center (MSC), the Corps of Cadets and The George Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Jerome Rektorik ’65 was a member of Company E-1 in the Corps while in school at Texas A&M University.
During his time at Texas A&M, the economics graduate participated in numerous MSC organizations such as the Student Conference on National Affairs, Town Hall and Great Issues. Rektorik was also a member of Company E-1 in the Corps. Upon graduation, he commissioned in the U.S. Army and served two tours in Vietnam. He and his wife, Diane ’75, later moved to College Station, where the couple earned master’s degrees from Texas A&M.
Work moved the family across the globe and eventually back to Aggieland, where Rektorik joined the Texas A&M Foundation as director of development for The Bush School. Ten years later, he transitioned into development for the Corps until his retirement in 2015.
Because of his undergraduate involvement and 13-year fundraising career, Rektorik understands how important it is to establish private gifts for public institutions like Texas A&M. He also attributes much of his success to lessons and skills he learned at Texas A&M, and hopes to expand the same opportunity to more students.
“Working with The Bush School and the Corps reinforced in me what great students we have at Texas A&M,” he said. “Diane and I want to create scholarships to help more remarkable students obtain a first-rate education.”
The couple has made several gifts benefiting the university through the Foundation, including a contribution to the MSC Renovation and Expansion Project, an endowment to support the MSC Opera and Performing Arts Society and a gift to create the Neil L. Keltner ’65 Memorial Corps Scholarships with three other contributors. Their most recent contribution is an estate gift that will support The Bush School, the Corps of Cadets and MSC programs.
Jerome and wife, Diane Rektorik created their gift by combining a bequest in their wills with a gift of retirement accounts.
The Rektoriks created their gift by combining a bequest in their wills with a gift of retirement accounts. A bequest can be made in an individual’s will by specifying that an item, dollar amount or a percentage of an estate be given to the Foundation to support a Texas A&M area of the giver’s choosing. To make a gift from a retirement account, an individual designates the Foundation as owner or beneficiary of their account(s). This option benefits Texas A&M and can offer significant tax savings for the individual and his or her family.
Rektorik harbors a longstanding love for any organization that allows students to gain and practice leadership skills. His past involvement and previous work with all three entities showed him the integrity that these organizations have, solidifying his choice to give back.
“Our future is in good hands, and Texas A&M students are leaders of the future,” Rektorik said. “These organizations inspire motivated students to make a difference in our world, and Aggies are doing this every day in both government and private sectors.”
By assisting others in their wishes to give back to Texas A&M as a Foundation employee, Rektorik had already made a positive mark on Texas A&M. But by choosing to give back themselves during and after their lifetimes, the Rektoriks ensure that they leave a Texas A&M legacy.
“Diane and I wanted to do our small part to ensure the opportunities and experiences at Texas A&M continue for as long as there is a Texas A&M University,” Rektorik said. “It’s truly a unique place for students to learn, grow and practice leadership skills that they will use long after they leave this campus.”
To find out more about IRA gifts or learn how you can support an organization that’s special to you through a planned gift, request our retirement asset gift kit which will provide more information on how you can make a gift like Jerome and Diane Rektorik.
