August is National Make-A-Will Month, a time set aside to remind people of the importance of making a plan to manage their assets and protect their loved ones after they’re gone. 

“Make-A-Will Month is a yearly reminder that encourages individuals to create, or update, their estate plans,” said Kim Gannon, TLU Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy. “A will is a powerful document that can give everyone peace of mind, but nearly 68% of Americans, don’t have one, or the one they have isn’t current.” The encouraging news is that the recently released 2026 Giving USA Report reported that total charitable giving reached a record $617.2 billion, while bequest giving surged nearly 20% over 2025.

Gannon said a will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes and allows you to leave your own unique legacy that’s based on your beliefs and values. “Including a charitable donation in your will can support causes you care about and leave a lasting impact for future generations.”

For those who would like TLU to be part of their legacy, the university’s Development Office is happy to walk them through the process of planning a gift that will bless the lives of future generations of Bulldogs.

“By including Texas Lutheran in your will, you can leave your legacy at TLU and make it possible for future Bulldogs to benefit from the same quality education that shaped your own journey,” said Gannon. “If you’ve never created a will, or if it’s time to update an existing one, there’s no better time to get started than during Make-A-Will Month. It’s easier than you might think and in addition to your financial advisor, or legal counsel, there are several free resources available to help.”

If you would like more information about leaving a gift to TLU in your will, please contact Kim Gannon at kgannon@tlu.edu, or Noel Vella at novella@tlu.edu. You can also visit our website at https://tlulegacy.org/, or scan this QR Code, to download our FREE Estate Planning Guide so you can start planning with confidence.

In the photo: Dwight Vorpahl ’71, his daughter, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Alves ‘05, and Tallulah

"If my recollections are accurate, 19 members of my family have had the privilege of spending all or a portion of their college years at TLC/TLU. My wife, daughter, and I graduated from TLU, and the rest of that number includes parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and their respective spouses. While I feel certain that many families can claim similar numbers, our common thread is that TLU has played an important and influential role in the development of careers, character, values, and faith. I believe that TLU will continue, and should continue, to provide that positive experience and influence to future Bulldogs, whether they are first-generation or legacy students. Through continued annual giving, and by providing for a gift to TLU in my estate plan, I can help provide the resources the university needs to offer more individuals and families the same opportunities and developmental experiences that the members of my family were able to experience."

~Dwight Vorpahl