Giving Students a Leg Up Hampton Couple’s Passion for Education is Passed on Through Scholarships
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passion for education—and a desire to support Christian education in particular—led Al and Beverly Preisser of Hampton, Virginia, to include Regent University in their legacy planning. “Bev and I have seven degrees between us, and we believe in helping others achieve their dreams,” Al says. “Our philosophy is that everyone needs to have goals for their life. These consist of immediate, short-range, medium-range, and long-range goals.”
“On my first day, I had two calls that showed me the Lord was able to guide me to help people in need,” he recalls. “One woman who was contemplating suicide and another had a desire to kill her son. Fortunately, I was able to get professional help to each of them.” The Preissers, who celebrated their 50th anniversary in May, put considerable thought into writing their estate plan. They decided to leave the bulk of their estate to various charities, with 40% dedicated to establishing scholarships at Christian universities.
“In addition, there should also be one goal that will not be fulfilled until after your death. For Bev and me, it is to invest in furthering Christian education, as we “My wife and I wanted to further Christian need strong Christian leaders in every education. We know that Regent is a well-established Christian vocation,” Al explains. university, and we can “Matthew 28 tells us to go forth to all the corners see the good that they are of the world. Regent doing,” he says. “It was “Matthew 28 tells us to University is helping important for us to get go forth to all the corners involved with what the students to do just that.” of the world. Regent Lord is doing here.” Beverly was an elementary University is helping school teacher who Al says that as a retired students to do just that.” received a master’s degree fighter pilot, he has in gifted education felt the hand of God AL PREISSER KINGDOM PHILANTHROPISTS directing and protecting and then worked as a him throughout his life. resource teacher for gifted students. Because of that, he is eager to give back and Al is a retired U.S. Air Force command be part of God’s plan for the scholarship pilot who went on to work as a military recipients who will go on to change the analyst and editor at the U.S. Joint world through Christian leadership. Forces Command Center. He grew up in a Christian household, but his life was Making an Impact Through Blended Gifts transformed when he became a born-again Al and Beverly’s gift to Regent University Christian as an adult. is an excellent example of a blended gift, As a young Christian and a lifelong student, Al enrolled in The 700 Club counseling class and began answering phones for the program.
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which occurs when one combines two or more gift types to increase philanthropic impact, maximize personal tax benefits, preserve wealth, and further the charity’s mission. By blending multiple gift types,
