Greg Freeman and Laura Atkinson Honor Their Son’s Legacy Through Planned Estate Gift to CMU
Giving and philanthropy are often thought of as acts reserved for the wealthiest of individuals. But when done with intention, they can become a way for anyone, regardless of their wealth status, to extend their values, honor their legacy and shape the future. For donors at the CMU Foundation, that approach is known as smart giving, and it’s contributing to the university’s vision of a Human Scale University.
With smart giving, gifts aren’t always cash. It can involve donating appreciated assets like stocks, bonds and real estate. It can also mean planning gifts in a will or donating tax-smart gifts from retirement accounts like IRA’s or life insurance policies.
“Smart giving lets you make a significant difference no matter who you are,” said Associate Director of Development Rick Adleman.
CMU’s approach to smart giving, known as Human Scale Giving, mirrors the university’s approach to creating a Human Scale University, which means to create a model of the world we want to see: a place where future leaders, innovators and changemakers come together, learn from one another and build understanding across differences. Just as CMU builds an environment where individual voices matter and relationships thrive, smart giving allows donors to make a tangible, personal impact with whatever type of gift they want to share. Gifts can be tailored to reflect values, honor loved ones or support specific programs that help students flourish.
For Greg Freeman and Laura Atkinson, smart giving became a way to honor the life of their only son, Paul, who passed away in 2023. They chose to turn the estate Paul would have inherited into a planned gift to CMU.
“We were talking about our wills and getting everything set up for when I die or he dies, because we don’t have anybody to leave it to,” Atkinson said. “Pauly was our one and only. One of the things we can do is continue Paul’s smile by giving it to young people,” Freeman added.
Through their gift, they're establishing an endowment that will fund scholarships and educational opportunities for students. Every dollar will go directly to students, helping them reach goals that Paul never had the chance to achieve.
“He always wished he would have continued his education. That’s how we started talking about giving it to CMU,” Atkinson said. “When we talked to CMU, 100% goes to the kids,” Freeman explained.
Smart giving also offers practical benefits. Bequests, gifts through wills or living trusts, and retirement plan designations allow donors to give without affecting their current finances. These strategies provide flexibility, security and peace of mind while creating a meaningful legacy.
For them, the gift is about more than planning. It’s a way to extend Paul’s legacy into the future, and let his spirit live on in the students who will benefit from the endowment.
“We're still alive, so this gift is going to be down the road. But if you knew Paul, he would want what we're doing,” Freeman said. “His life continues, his legacy continues. If you knew him, you would have loved him,” Atkinson added.
By embracing smart giving, donors like Freeman and Atkinson are shaping futures, supporting students and carrying forward legacies that will endure for years.
To learn how you can honor a loved one or make a difference through smart giving at Colorado Mesa University, contact Rick Adleman at 970.248.1871 or email [email protected].