Melanie Wood’s Gift Annuity Funds Scholarship to Help EKU Music Students “Realize Their Dreams”

Melanie R. Wood ’63 inherited her love of music from her family. From a young age she knew that she wanted to pass that love along to others. She credits her EKU education with helping her achieve that goal. In gratitude, Melanie has established a charitable gift annuity that will fund a scholarship in her name for the benefit of future EKU music students.

“This is an attractive way to give because I have an income for life and the scholarship will live on in perpetuity,” says Melanie, who funded her gift with appreciated stock — receiving the double benefit of a tax deduction for its full value and avoidance of any tax on the capital gain.

“I am thankful for the many opportunities afforded me by EKU,” Melanie says. “The music faculty challenged students to become better musicians, and we had rich experiences that helped prepare us for careers in music education.”

Melanie’s father was a band and orchestra teacher in the Louisville Public Schools and a friend of James E. Van Peursem, head of the EKU Music Department. “With encouragement from both of them, I auditioned,” Melanie says. “Having received a four-year scholarship, I recognize the value of financial assistance. I would like for others to have the same opportunity.”

While at EKU, Melanie was a member of concert band, marching band, orchestra, choir, woodwind choir and Sigma Chi Mu. She went on to enjoy a 33-year career as both a music educator and music supervisor. She encourages her fellow alumni to consider how they might leave their legacies at EKU. “In order to become a better society, we must be willing to help others,” Melanie concludes. “Assisting students financially is one step many of us can take to help students realize their dreams.”