Regent Paul S. Mueller '84 and Spouse Nancy (Mackey) Mueller '85 Give Study Area in CSBR

Donor Photo

Science Hall, built in 1949, will be replaced by the CSBR

Chemistry and physics majors delight in helping Augsburg's future science students

Paul S. Mueller '84 and Nancy (Mackey) Mueller '85 met during physics tutoring sessions that Nancy led as a student. Their meeting launched a shared life path that includes a major ongoing role for science. Now they are giving both current gifts and a bequest to support the Center for Science, Business, and Religion (CSBR).

Augsburg prepared the family well for ethically centered scientific careers

Paul has served as an Augsburg regent since 2005. He wears many hats as a doctor at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He is a staff consultant and division chair in General Internal Medicine. He also teaches in Mayo's medical school where he is a Professor of Medicine and of Biomedical Ethics.

Nancy teaches physics at Mayo High School in Rochester, and earlier taught chemistry and physical science. She has a master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland. Early in her career, she helped design submarines. They have three children. Their eldest son Luke graduated from Augsburg last spring and will pursue a graduate degree in biostatistics.

Prospect of the new center excites the Muellers

Nancy says, "We feel that the new CSBR is a long time in coming. The departments are so strong academically, but they don't have the facility to match that quality. We are missing a lot of potential students because of facilities. We are very excited that this new center will be built, and we appreciate the cross-disciplinary opportunities it presents."

Donor Photo

Inside Science Hall students present Chemistry research

Paul and Nancy want to encourage others to commit to the three "legs" of giving (annual, capital and planned giving) that will assure Augsburg continues to foster leaders in the sciences, business and liberal arts.

"Making a bequest is really easy to do. We added Augsburg as a recipient of one quarter of our estate. We chose Augsburg because of its quality and because it produces leaders for the future. Our three children will also benefit from our estate, but adding Augsburg really made us happy," said Nancy.

Urging others to take the "easy step" to give

When they talk about encouraging others to join them in supporting Augsburg with annual, capital and planned gifts their passion shows through. As Paul said, "What if we had multiple generations of Auggies making bequests for Augsburg? Can you imagine 50 years from now if everyone did this? The assets would really build up for the college and our impact would be magnificent."

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Augsburg 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 to Augsburg University, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 2211 Riverside Ave., CB 142, Minneapolis, MN 55454, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

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

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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

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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.

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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 Augsburg University 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 Augsburg University 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 Augsburg University where you agree to make a gift to Augsburg University 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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