Cumulative Gift Societies

Southwestern Society (cumulative gifts of $5 million or more)

The Southwestern Society honors the University's most generous lifetime donors. Only a few individuals and organizations qualify for membership in this society, which recognizes their exemplary leadership and commitment to Southwestern.

Wiess Society (cumulative gifts of $1 million or more)

The Wiess Society was inaugurated on October 17, 1998, in recognition of the growing culture of philanthropy established with the success of Leadership 2000, the Southwestern Campaign. It is named in memory of Louise Elizabeth Carothers Wiess, a Houston benefactor, whose innovative and timely challenge gift in 1937 provided the incentive for Southwestern's creditors to forgive the debts incurred by the University during the Great Depression. The Wiess gift saved the University from insolvency and paved the way for all future success.

Rutersville Society (cumulative gifts of $500,000 to $999,999)

The Rutersville Society is named for one of Southwestern's four root colleges, Rutersville College, established in the Republic of Texas in 1840. This gift society honors a group of benefactors whose generosity is transforming the University through major investments in faculty, students, and facilities.

Wesleyan Society (cumulative gifts of $250,000 to $499,999)

The Wesleyan Society is named for one of Southwestern's four root colleges, Wesleyan College, founded by area Methodists in 1844.

McKenzie Society (cumulative gifts of $100,000 to $249,999)

The McKenzie Society is named for one of Southwestern's four root colleges, McKenzie College, officially chartered by the State in 1848.

Soule Society (cumulative gifts of $50,000 to $99,999)

The Soule Society is named for one of Southwestern's four root colleges, Soule College, which was chartered in 1856.

Invitation to President's Appreciation Dinner

Recognition in the President's Annual Report

Invitation to lectures, events, and private receptions with visiting scholars, the University President and faculty

(Wiess Society only) Name inscribed into floor of the McCombs Campus Center

The personal satisfaction of knowing your contributions help students fulfill their educational aspirations

Annual Gift Societies

President's Council

Mood Society (annual gifts of $50,000 and above)

Named for Francis Asbury Mood, first president of Southwestern University (1873 - 1884).

Heidt Society (annual gifts of $25,000 - $49,999)

Named for John Wesley Heidt, second president of Southwestern University (1885 - 1889).

McLean Society (annual gifts of $10,000 - $24,999)

Named for John Howell McLean, third president of Southwestern University (1891 - 1897).

Hyer Society (annual gifts of $5,000 - $9,999)

Named for Robert Stewart Hyer, fourth president of Southwestern University (1898 - 1911).

Bishop Society (annual gifts of $3,000 - $4,999)

Named for Charles McTyeire Bishop, fifth president of Southwestern University (1911 - 1922).

Horn Society (annual gifts of $1,000 - $2,999)

Named for Paul Whitfield Horn, sixth president of Southwestern University (1922 - 1924).

GOLD President's Council

Recognizing graduates of the last decade who made gifts of $100 for every year that has passed since they graduated (first-year graduates qualify with a gift of $50).

Other Annual Gift Societies

Ruter Society (annual gifts of $500 - $999)

Named for Martin Ruter, whose answer to Colonel William Barret Travis' call led to the founding of Rutersville College, the first of Southwestern's four "root" colleges in 1840, giving Southwestern the distinction of being the first institution of higher learning in Texas.

Travis Society (annual gifts of $100 - $499)

Named for Colonel William Barret Travis, whose 1835 letter to the "New York Christian Advocate" inspired Methodist pioneers to found Southwestern University in Texas.

Invitation to President's Appreciation Dinner (President's Council & GOLD President's Council only)

Recognition in the President's Annual Report

Invitation to lectures, events, and private receptions with visiting scholars, the University President and faculty (President's Council & GOLD President's Council only)

President's Council members receive a quarterly update from the President (drafted by the AVP for Development or the Director of Annual Giving & President's Council).

The personal satisfaction of knowing your contributions help students fulfill their educational aspirations

Deferred Gift Societies

The Professor John N. Score Society

The Professor John N. Score Society was inaugurated in 1998 in recognition of the growing culture of philanthropy established with the success of Leadership 2000, The Southwestern Campaign. It is named in memory of Professor John N. Score, Class of 1945, who returned to Southwestern to serve on the faculty in the department of religion and philosophy from 1955 until his death in 1995. Professor Score willed his entire estate to Southwestern for a scholarship fund in memory of his parents. The Score Society honors donors who have made deferred gifts of $1 million or more. For recognition during their life time, donors must provide the University with a copy of the appropriate confirming documentation.

In addition to experiencing the special satisfaction of ensuring Southwestern's greatness in the 21st century, Score Society members gain financial advantages of planned giving in their overall estate and retirement plans.

1840 Society

The 1840 Society honors alumni and friends who have included the University in their estate plans or other planned giving arrangements. The Society pays tribute to those individuals whose generosity and foresight have made Southwestern's extraordinary achievements possible. This generosity demonstrates an investment in the future of Southwestern and its mission. Through their planned gifts and commitments, members help ensure the University's continued excellence.

Membership is offered to all individuals who have made a planned gift commitment to Southwestern, regardless of the amount, and who have provided the appropriate confirming documentation.

The following gifts qualify for membership:

* Bequest to Southwestern through a will or living trust
* Naming Southwestern as a beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust or lead trust
* Participating in the Southwestern charitable gift annuity program
* Making a gift to Southwestern of the remainder interest in a personal residence or farm
* Naming Southwestern as beneficiary of a retirement or life insurance plan

In addition to experiencing the special satisfaction of ensuring Southwestern's greatness in the 21st century, 1840 Society members gain financial advantages of planned giving in their overall estate and retirement plans.

Benefits:

* Name etched in the floor of the McCombs Campus Center (Score Society only)
* A glass-etched 1840 Society paperweight
* Special invitation to the annual Score Society and 1840 Society recognition event
* Invitation to President's Appreciation Dinner
* Invitations to lectures, events and private receptions with visiting scholars, the University president and faculty
* Recognition in the President's Annual Report
* Generations newsletter with information about estate planning
* The personal satisfaction of knowing that your planned gift will benefit future generations of Southwestern students

Consecutive Giving Societies

Brown Society

Formed at the end of the historic Brown Challenge, the Brown Society is a consecutive giving society created to recognize those who give consistently, at any level, over ten consecutive years. Current members are those who have given in at least nine of the previous ten years including the most recent, completed fiscal year.

Charter (lifetime) membership was granted to those who gave during the entire twenty years of the Brown Challenge (1976-1996).

Benefits of membership:

* Current members are given Brown Society lapel pins during the fall following their entry into the Brown Society. Charter members received Charter Brown Society pins at the end of the Brown Challenge.
* Special invitation to the annual Brown Society recognition event
* Invitations to lectures, events and private receptions with visiting scholars, the University president and faculty
* Recognition in the President's Annual Report
* Generations newsletter with information about estate planning
* The personal satisfaction of knowing that your gift will benefit future generations of Southwestern students