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If you would like to support NIU students through your will or trust, ask your estate planning attorney to add this suggested wording to your document: 2828 - CORNERSTONE

“I, [name], of [city, state ZIP], give, 60115 devise, and bequeath to the Northern University Foundation [written Barsema Hall Fall 2011 amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose.” “FROM OUR HEARTS, THIS IS SOMETHING WE BOTH BELIEVE IN” Ridnour Bequest to Benefit College of Business

Be sure to return the enclosed envelope to get the FREE guide Create a Lasting more. learn to www.niufoundation.org/iraopportunity Visit t doesn’t take long to see that Rick and Amy Ridnour have Tribute for Someone You Love or Admire. found an enviable balance in their relationship of 47 years.

You’ll learn how to make a West Lincoln Highway • DeKalb, Illinois tribute gift through your estate that lasts forever—the perfect holiday gift! 1425 Rick, who teaches marketing at NIU’s College of Business and is the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Professor of Sales, gives Amy much credit for supportingI him and helping raise their two boys—now with families of their ACT NOW! SPECIAL IRA OPPORTUNITY ENDS DECEMBER 31 DECEMBER ENDS OPPORTUNITY IRA SPECIAL NOW! ACT

> tax-free gifts—up to $100,000—from you can make 70½ or older, If you’re your annual required minimum Gifts count toward your IRA to benefit NIU. distribution and must be made directly from your financial institution to the NIU Foundation. INSIDE NONTRADITIONAL LANDS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP GRAF own—while he earned his college degrees. And, Amy supports his passion for education still today. “His God-given talent is teaching. He really cares CORNERSTONE for the students,” she says. Society As Rick’s closest confidante, Amy is not only a sounding board for his classroom accounts, but his advisor too. “He is as excited about starting his The Cornerstone Society recognizes, thanks, 24th year of teaching as he was the first year.” That enthusiasm for education and celebrates those who have created a lasting has led to an unrestricted gift in the couple’s estate to legacy at NIU through a bequest, trust, or other NIU’s marketing department. “I saw the passion estate gift. To become a member or to discuss , other donors had for NIU at the first Cornerstone Amy and Rick Ridnour Rick and Amy

a gift opportunity, please call Society event. I was motivated and thought, This John Sentovich, Director of Gift is the right thing to do,” he says. Amy adds, “I knew Planning, at (815) 753-1344, toll free how much Rick loved NIU.” Rick concludes, friends “From our hearts, this is something we at (866) 385-1507, or email him at both believe in.” [email protected]. Find us on the Web and

at www.niufoundation.org/giftplanning. Rick and Amy have a track record of ni

m making some pretty good decisions from the heart. Growing up in Des

alu Continued on the inside Go Huskies! Go Planning Gift of Director Sentovich, John Amy and Rick Ridnour NIU NIU © NIU Foundation and The Stelter Company Look inside for another NIU student success story. >>

The information in this publication is not intended as legal advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney. ear

Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate D grateful, hardworking, spirit: NIU the embody Ridnour Amy and Rick university the of supportive enthusiastically and other, each to loyal his credits Rick community. their and support unwavering Amy’s to success of proud more be not could Amy and professor a as accomplishments Rick’s marketing Business’ of College the in inspiring. truly is story Their department. featured our Ridnours, the Like recipient—Smiljka scholarship the of many Gavranovic—represents students: NIU of qualities excellent and determined, bright, first-generation, also is story Her difference. a make to prepared compelling. very appreciate we much how know please thanks, of season at the me enter we help—call As can I if me contact to hesitate Don’t support. ongoing your [email protected]. email or 385-1507, (866) at free toll 753-1344, (815) and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.

perforation NIU. “Youcanmakeadifference—that’swhatyouhopefor,”Ricksays. but forever,”hesays.Andthat’showlongtheRidnours’giftwillimpact let themknowthatI’mnotonlycommittedtowhilethey’rehere, Rick’s studentsnotonlyhaveagreatrolemodelbutsupporteraswell.“I that theywanttobesuccessfulandcontributesociety,”Ricksays. learning environment.“Igetalotofenergyfromthestudentsknowing inspiring styleofteaching,whichmakesforacreativeanddynamic Students canmaximizewho Rick says.“IcanmaximizewhoIam.” teaching classesatNIU.“IwasreallyhappiestwhenIteaching,” and recruiteratIDEAL,aDeKalbmanufacturingcompany,began the RidnourstoDeKalb.Ricktookajobasnationalsalestrainer It wasacallmorethan20yearsagofromformerstudentthatbrought G efforts. HelatertaughtcoursesatIowaState. Foundation andwasresponsibleformanagingallmarketingsales real estatedevelopmentprojectfortheIowaStateUniversityResearch education. Atthesametime,heconsultedforamultimilliondollar which helpedpaytuitionsohecouldearnadoctorateinhigher education withabusinessemphasis,Rickstartedrealestatecompany, rewarding workinbanking.AfterearningB.S.andM.S.degrees While Amyoperatedanin-homedaycarebusiness,Rickfound yourself through school working.” at a variety of jobs,” Amy recalls. “It was at a time when you1964. could In stillthe early put years, things weren’t so easy. “Rick workedMoines, long hoursIowa, the Ridnours met in junior high on a hayride andContinued fromfront married in REAT ROLE MODEL pro type of people they are—caring, giving, and committed to the NIU student. “Rick and Amy Ridnour’s recent commitment is to They are true leaders in the College of Business and at NIU.“ f

essor students they —Denise D. Schoenbachler, Dean, NIU College of Business of College NIU Dean, Schoenbachler, D. —Denise

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fold one day I can help others.” that other people care—I’m hoping understand how much it means on available jobs,” she says. “I have been great keeping me posted too much of their time, and staff never make me feel like I am taking has been wonderful—my teachers firm. “My NIU experience hopes to find a job with a public When she graduates in December, Smiljka Smiljka says. sign that I was doing the right thing,” education. “Receiving this scholarship was a on her strong work ethic and commitment to awarded the scholarship in 2010 based in part knew I had to put my best foot forward.” She was “It was amazing for me to receive something like this. I Smiljka remembers when she got the call for the scholarship interview. had the best accountancy program and I wantedthrough to NIU’sbe part College of it,” of sheBusiness. says. “I hadShe different learned optionsabout the for school, but NIU investment,” she says. whether we could afford it, but I knew education had a big return on college and was considering further studies. “I was concerned about 1999 looking for a better life. Several years ago, she enrolled at a junior Born in Croatia, Smiljka and her husband moved to the United States in one of the best departments at NIU, I wouldn’twith have her believedhusband. it,”“If youSmiljka had toldsays. me 10 yearsis raisingago that two I wouldteenage attend daughters, college working and be partincontrast time, toand that managing of most a householdof the students along sheAt sits almost beside twice each the day. age Atof themost age of ofher 41, classmates, she Smiljka Gavranovic’s life is quite a Smiljka Gavranovic, 2010 recipient of the David and Diane Graf Accountancy Scholarship SCHOLARSHIPS INACTION David and Diane Graf Accountancy Scholarship

creating yourpersonallegacy. www.niufoundation.org/giftplanning Please callJohnSentovichtollfreeat(866)385-1507orvisit most pressingneeds. projects orleaveyourgiftunrestricted,allowingittobeusedforour You canalsodecideifyouwanttodirectyourgifthelpparticular regarding anonymity. in amanneryouintend.Wearehappytoadhereyourwishes Cornerstone Societyandensurethatyourbequestwillbefulfilled your attorneytocompletegiftNIU. attorney. Seethenextpageforsamplelanguageyoucansharewith assets today—you can accomplish the process in three steps! A gift through your will is an easy way to support NIU students without giving up THREE TWO STEP STEP STEP ONE TO INCLUDIN 3 STEPS NOTI MEET WITH YOUR ESTATE PLANNIN envelope sowecanwelcomeyouasamemberofthe Please informusofyourgiftusingtheenclosedreply document, you’llwanttoseekthehelpofanestateplanning Whether youneedtocreateawillorsimplyupdateanolder CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO amount orifyou’dliketoleaveapercentageofyourestate. Determine whetheryou’dliketomakeagiftofspecific F Y US O F YOUR INTENTION. G NIUINYOURWILL formoreideason G Three Sons Cafe, Barsema Hall I V E. G ATTORNEY.