Helene and Terry Delaney CLAS '83

An avid marathoner, Terry Delaney has learned the value of pace, balance and long-term results, and he now applies those principles to his philanthropy. Through the use of a life insurance policy, Terry is extending the impact of his contributions so tomorrow's Villanovans can benefit from a gift that wouldn't be possible today. A former member of the track and cross-country teams, Terry reflects on his time at Villanova with great pride and gratitude. "Villanova had a massive impact on my life, and it especially influenced the trajectory that I took in my career," he says.

He credits his teammates, friends, professors and the overall Villanova community with helping to shape him into a confident and assured professional. But most importantly, he is mindful of those who supported Villanova while he was on campus. Those individuals inspire him to give back today.

"There are people before me who gave up their time and money for me to have a great experience at Villanova, and now I'm that guy," he says.

Terry was making annual contributions to Villanova, but he decided to step up his support in honor of his 30th Reunion. After some discussion with his reunion gift officer and the Office of Planned Giving, Terry took a clever approach to giving that provides both immediate and long-term support.

Terry made a 5-year pledge and divides the support between the Annual Fund, which would address the University's most pressing needs, and a life insurance policy that will provide what Terry calls an "impact gift" in the future.

A life insurance gift was something Terry had never previously considered, but once he learned about the benefits and how he could fund a policy that would pay out six times the amount he put in, he knew it was the right move. "I hope the University perpetuates itself," he says. "If my annual giving can get us to 200 years, then I hope my legacy gift will bring us another 250 years."