Lewis A. Miller '49, founder and chairman of the medical education company Intermedica, has adopted a diversified approach to his philanthropy. A stalwart Princeton volunteer, who currently serves his class as gift planning chair, Miller has always been deeply involved with Annual Giving. However, approaching his 35th Reunion, he began to think about funding an endowed scholarship. This idea—and the desire to benefit Princeton over the long term—was a goal that required a major gift, but he wasn't yet ready to commit substantial assets.

His first step was to set up a trust that provided the University with annual payments over a decade to support Annual Giving and student financial aid. After 10 years had passed, and the trust principal was due to revert to him, Miller was ready to make his major gift—a splendid Annual Giving gift for his class's 45th Reunion.

Soon after, Miller created another trust that provides payments to him and his wife. After the trust closes, the remainder will benefit Princeton and his wife's alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College. Miller enjoys the financial security of the trust payments, but he is clearly most excited about how this gift will fulfill his philanthropic dream—to provide scholarships to future generations of Princeton students.

He encourages alumni to think about transferring assets from their estate to Princeton through thoughtful gift planning. "It's a way to make your money go further," he says. Beyond that, there's the transformative power of his gift. “Affording young people a top quality education can change their lives in a significant way," he says.