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Dr. Carol Keene ’61, Ph.D., Pays It Forward and Gives Back to SXU

Dr. Carol Keene

Dr. Carol Keene ’61, with President Joyner

When SXU Trustee Dr. Carol Keene '61, Ph.D., walked up the steps of "Xavs" in 1957, she was ready to be a research chemist.

Armed with the support of her parents, a Mayor Daley Scholarship, and a love of science, Dr. Keene did not expect to be transformed by her education. Yet a required course in philosophy with Sister Dominica "captivated" Dr. Keene, and her career trajectory was never the same.

Dr. Keene went on to receive an M.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and a Ph.D. from St. Louis University. She joined the Department of Philosophy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1968. In addition to her teaching, she served across the years as Department Chair and Dean of Humanities. An accomplished author noted for her multi-volume editions of the papers and letters of the British philosopher F. H. Bradley, Dr. Keene credits SXU for providing her with an "absolutely fabulous education."

"My favorite memory of Xavs is how truly intellectually exciting it was...When interviewed for a position in 1962 at a Catholic college in St. Louis, their high regard for Saint Xavier trumped their hesitancy about my youth and I was hired."

In addition to donating her time to SXU as a Trustee, Dr. Keene is a generous philanthropist to the University, having established three endowed scholarships, two of which honor her parents. She also assisted her 1961 classmates in raising funds to create the "Who Shall Find a Valiant Woman?" art piece in SXU's library. And she has placed the University in her estate plan.

When asked why she donates to Saint Xavier, Dr. Keene stated, "You don't go through this world without someone entering your life and making a positive difference...even a stranger. I received a scholarship to attend Xavs. When you receive a gift, you have a responsibility to do likewise for others. We each need to give back. I want the next generation of Saint Xavier students to have as worthwhile an education as I did. If anyone wants to step up to the plate and make a difference [in the lives of students], now is the time. Higher education needs you!"

Thank you, Dr. Keene, for leaving such a wonderful legacy to the University!

Like Dr. Keene, you can leave your legacy at SXU. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a great impact. Contact Jeanmarie Cusack '85 at 773-298-3316 or cusack@sxu.edu today to learn more.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Saint Xavier University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

I give, devise and bequeath to Saint Xavier University, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the state of Illinois and located in the city of Chicago, Illinois, ________ (fill in a percentage of your estate, a certain sum of dollars, or a description of particular property), to be used in its area of greatest need.

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Saint Xavier or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Saint Xavier as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Saint Xavier as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Saint Xavier where you agree to make a gift to Saint Xavier and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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