Reflections Summer 2017

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The Planned Giving Society of the USI Foundation

Full Circle Jennifer L. Kluesner Evans ‘00 M’10 D’13 was a lifeguard in high school with dreams of being a teacher, but her family encouraged her to go into the health care field where they saw more job potential. Raised in a small town of northeast Dubois County, Indiana, she moved to Evansville to attend the University of Southern Indiana. In 1992, she began her studies of an Associate of Science degree in Radiology Technology. In 1998, Evans encountered Dr. Nadine Coudret, dean emerita of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, at a conference where the two discussed Dr. Evans’ return to USI to study nursing. Dr. Evans says, “Meeting Dr. Coudret again that day was the catalyst to getting my ASN at USI.” Once she graduated with her ASN, she went to work at the St. Mary’s Cath Lab where she successfully utilized both her nursing and radiological degrees from USI. Always pursuing a higher education, Evans completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Services from USI in 2000.

Amy Wilson, clinical associate professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, informed Dr. Evans about a teaching opportunity at USI in 2005. Evans jumped on the chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. She returned once again to USI to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, to Master of Science in Nursing program while teaching radiology technology. And while completing the MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program, Dr. Ann White, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, spoke with Evans about whether or not a break between the two degrees would be beneficial. Dr. Evans saw how

Dr. Jennifer L. Kluesner Evans with sons Benjamin and Clayton

close she was to her goal of teaching full time and she pushed through both programs without interruption.

Her doctoral capstone project, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Nurse Manager Succession Plan in an Acute Care Hospital Setting, was selected for the 2013-2014 American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Excellence in Advancing Nursing Practice Award. continued

Summer 2017

In 2013, Evans finished her DNP and began working full time as an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Southern Indiana. A true servant leader, she believes her job as a faculty member at USI goes beyond teaching and is always looking for ways to better prepare her students for the challenges they will encounter. Her innovative leadership has been evident within the undergraduate nursing program through the development and implementation of interprofessional educational activities. Dr. Evans’ mentor, Dr. Coudret, says, “Dr. Evans epitomizes the commitment, caring and leadership that characterizes USI nursing faculty. I am pleased I had the privilege to be a small part of her personal and professional development.”

“I GIVE BACK, BECAUSE I CAN NEVER QUANTIFY WHAT USI HAS GIVEN TO ME.” Evans says, “USI offers an opportunity for everyone, including those of us from small rural areas.” According to Dr. Evans, USI was the special place that gave her confidence, granted her opportunities, and most importantly gave her the hope she needed to stay the course during her many years of academic study.

Giving back is very important to Dr. Evans and she beams when she discusses her family and their relationship with USI. “My youngest son, Benjamin, only knew mommy as a student until he was nine. It is important to me that I show my sons, Benjamin, 12, and Clayton, 14, the importance of giving back to the places that believe in you. Both of my children see USI as their next step after graduating from high school. They see how proud I am of the University and how successful USI alumni are in their respective fields.”

Dr. Evans is a member of Reflections, and in October of 2014 she established the Jennifer L. Kluesner ‘00 M’10 D’13 Scholarship for a graduate from Northeast Dubois High School who majors in nursing. Evans says, “USI gave me a chance, opened up doors to attain my education and presented an opportunity to begin teaching. I give back, because I can never quantify what USI has given to me.”

L E AV E A L E G A C Y ®

In E va nsvill e an d th e Tr i -S tat e A r e a

Ma ke a Differ en ce i n the L i ves tha t Fo l l o w

IRA Charitable Rollover Now Permanent See the Benefits Available to You In December 2015, Congress reinstated a law that allows you to make a tax-free gift from your individual retirement account (IRA). Known as the IRA “charitable rollover,” this law no longer has an expiration date, so you are free to make annual gifts to the USI Foundation from your IRA any year well into the future.

The law allows individuals who have reached the age of 70 and older the ability to transfer any amount up to $100,000 from their individual retirement accounts directly to a qualified charitable organization without being subject to income taxes on the distribution.

Here’s how the plan works: • You are age 70 or older at the time of the gift.

• You transfer any amount up to $100,000 directly from your IRA. This opportunity applies only to IRAs and not other types of retirement plans.

• You transfer the funds outright to one or more qualified charities.

The legislation does not permit direct transfers to charitable trusts, donor advised funds, charitable gift annuities or supporting organizations.

For more information or other gift-planning ideas, contact the USI Foundation.

Leave A Legacy ® is a community-based effort that encourages people from all walks of life and all income levels to make gifts from their estates to the nonprofit organizations of their choice. This program is sponsored in Evansville by the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning through the Evansville Area Fundraising Council.

This newsletter is for information only. For specific legal and tax-planning guidance, please consult your professional advisors.

David A. Bower, CFRE President, USI Foundation 8600 University Boulevard Evansville, Indiana 47712 812-464-1918 USI.edu/giving giving@usi.edu

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