The importance of these future gifts in support of the College cannot be underestimated.

Beyond the satisfaction of positively impacting future generations of Cortland students, members of the Lofty Elm Society will also receive invitations to special events and annual recognition in College publications. 

Their generosity will also be acknowledged with a beautiful Lofty Elm Society lapel pin recognizing their commitment to their alma mater.

An additional distinction of charter membership in the Lofty Elm Society will be open to those who have included the Cortland College Foundation as a beneficiary of their estate plans or through a planned gift by June 30, 2006.

The society receives it name from the first verse in the Alma Mater which was written nearly a century ago when many Elm trees surrounded the Cortland Normal School in its former location in downtown Cortland. 

Today many majestic “lofty” elm trees continue to grace the College around Old Main, Brockway Hall and the Miller Building.  

Planned gifts that qualify for membership in the Lofty Elm Society include naming the Cortland College Foundation as a beneficiary of your will, retirement plan, life insurance or trust; gifts of real estate such as a home, vacation home or farm through a retained life estate; and the charitable gift annuity. 

There is no minimum gift requirement.

For more information, please contact Peter VanderWoude at (607) 758-5309 or by e-mail at vanderwoudep@cortland.edu.