CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY MOVES OU IN THE "WRITE" DIRECTION

Having taught in OU's department of English for 37 years, Joan Rosen knows that constructive feedback is an important part of the writing process. It is one of the main reasons the professor emerita and her husband Robert provided a founding grant in 2006 to establish the Oakland University Writing Center (OUWC). A full-service consultation center housed in the Kresge Library, the OUWC serves as the literal and conceptual "Write Space" for all members of the University community at any stage of the composing process.

In addition, the Rosens contributed generously to create the Joan Rosen Writing Studio, which is part of the OUWC. The Rosen Fellows program, another initiative instituted by the couple also facilitated by the OUWC, pairs one faculty member with one student on particular projects in many fields. This endeavor has resulted in published papers, adding to Oakland's scholarly activity as well as the University's visibility.

To enhance and solidify their comprehensive support to all campus writers, the Rosens documented a planned gift to establish the Joan Rosen Endowed Fund. The endowment is funded through a charitable gift annuity and will support both the OUWC and the Joan Rosen Writing Studio.

A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a unique gift that provides multiple benefits to you, the donor. In exchange for your charitable gift of cash, stocks, or other assets now, Oakland University agrees to make regular fixed payments for life to you, to you and a loved one, or to another person. Payout rates are based on the ages of those who will receive payments at the time the annuity is established. The rates never change, no matter how long you live or what the economy may do. After all annuity payments have been made, OU will receive the remaining balance to apply to an area or program that is meaningful to you.

"The Joan Rosen Endowed Fund is a wonderful example of how planned gifts help strengthen OU's ability to deliver teaching, learning, and research excellence to students, both now and in the future," said Colette O'Connor, senior director of planned giving. "Through their incredible generosity, the Rosens are sustaining OU's mission for generations to come."