Delivering on Promises for Next Generation

A few years back, Robert Demmett attended a presentation given by Stephen J. Friedman, former President of Pace University. President Friedman spoke about keeping Pace focused on its core purpose, i.e., providing a quality college education to those students who are the first in their families to attend college. Pace offers these students training in professions which will provide an opportunity to obtain high-paying jobs and ideally increase their social and economic standing.

This presentation was especially impactful for Bob and his wife, Mary Ann, since both of them were the first in their families to attend college—at Pace. Bob was the seventh child out of eight and Mary Ann was the oldest of four. While Mary Ann grew up in a typical middle class family, Bob's family struggled financially.

Pace delivered on its promises for the Demmetts. They both studied accounting and Pace put them both in a position to pass the CPA exam on their first attempts. They both obtained jobs directly out of college, Mary Ann with Price Waterhouse and Bob with Eisner & Lubin (now Withum). They both have successful and challenging careers.

Pace provides a valuable service to the community. Bob and Mary Ann firmly believe that education leads to better social, economic and mental well-being. In addition, an education that trains its students for a profession is well worth the cost. Accounting, in particular, provides a structured career path to those entering the profession.

To help Pace continue to meet its objective, Mary Ann and Bob have been generous donors to Pace's annual fund, and also established a scholarship to be funded with life insurance proceeds. With their background in tax planning and business accounting, they know the leverage that life insurance can provide, and it was the perfect giving vehicle for them to help a future Pace student. They want to give future Pace students the opportunity that they were so fortunate to enjoy.

You, too, can leave a legacy at Pace by establishing a scholarship so students can prosper in education and in life. To learn more, contact Marc Potolsky at mpotolsky@pace.edu or 212-346-1619.