Alumni Legacy Giving
Jol (’80) and Maura (Cameron) Hunter's (’79) Mount Allison connections run deep. The pair met at Mount A and their family tree includes many Allisonians. Maura, daughter of the late Donald Cameron (’50), long-time University registrar and education professor, literally grew up on campus. She remembers Ralph Pickard Bell — Mount Allison’s first Chancellor — attending family birthday parties when her parents were dons at Bennett House.
“I use to walk my dolls around campus when I was four or five years old and played in the concert band when I was in high school,” she says. “It was only natural that I get my degrees from here.”
Maura has a BA, BSc, and BEd from Mount Allison and worked as a teacher in Truro, NS over her career. Along with her dad, her siblings Jean (’78), Ian (’76), and Alex (’82) are all grads, as well as her and Jol’s daughter Emily (’16), and several extended family members.
Jol’s family tree also has strong roots on campus. Two of his brothers — Charlie (’75) and William (’88) — are Allisonians. All three played varsity sports and Charlie returned to Mount Allison in several roles: as a soccer coach, don of Trueman House, and dean of students. Jol served as President of the Student’s Union. He and Maura were both known for their involvement in the campus and wider community, being honoured with the Don Norton and Frances S. Allison Awards respectively in their graduating years.
“While we learned a lot, I think Maura and I would both agree that academics wasn’t a strong suit for either of us; our siblings all outshone us there,” Jol says with a chuckle.
It’s in part because of this sense of connection and community that the Hunters, long-time volunteers and supporters of the University, have decided to include Mount Allison in their estate planning.
“The University has the potential to make a positive impact on so many; we’ve seen this,” says Jol. “If we can help in this effort, that’s only a good thing.”
Alumni create legacy gifts for many different reasons. For some, it is a way to ensure their memory lives on. For others, it is a way to ensure Mount Allison is able to continue to develop critical thinkers and engaged and thoughtful citizens who go on to become business, cultural, and community leaders.
Others find it represents a way to facilitate tax implications, and yet others feel it is the most strategic way to make the largest possible gift.
“When we first talked about giving in this way, it sparked a lot of memories for me, of my time at Mount Allison and the impact it had on both of us and our families,” says Maura. “Mount A really laid the foundation for us. It’s worthwhile for all alumni to take some time to reflect on their experiences and consider what they might do to pass this on to others.”
Contact the Development Office to learn more about legacy planning — (506) 364-2343, donate@mta.ca