A Legacy of Teaching, A Legacy of Giving: Ellen Clemens '62

Supporting Students Through Retirement Savings

Ellen was the first in her family to consider a professional career. Inspired by her older sister's high school business curriculum and intrigued by the work she saw her doing, Ellen followed the commercial/business track in high school. Influenced by her business teacher, a BU alum, and inspired by another BU faculty member she and her parents met at a college night, she knew Bloomsburg was where she wanted to continue her education. "I decided that since two great teachers from the Easton area went to Bloomsburg and gave it glowing testimonies, it must be a good place to go. I didn't apply anywhere else," she recalls.

At BU, Ellen found her calling. She loved the practical work of business, from balancing checkbooks to shorthand and typing exercises, and she soon discovered she loved teaching it even more. After graduating in 1962, Ellen launched a 36-year teaching career, eventually serving as a faculty member and department chair at BU, where she taught undergraduate and graduate business subjects and supervised student teachers. "Seeing how successful students were in class was rewarding," she says. "I enjoyed watching students follow directions and learn from me." Both her years as a student and faculty were, in her words, "professionally and personally fulfilling and enjoyable."

Ellen's gratitude for the doors her BU education opened has long been reflected in her generosity. Soon after securing her first teaching job at Quakertown Community Senior High School, she became a donor, and she has supported Bloomsburg ever since. Upon retirement, she discovered she could make an even greater impact through Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. "It seemed like a convenient yearly giving transaction," she explains. The fact that her gifts also served as a tax deduction made the choice even more practical.

But for Ellen, the real motivation was students. She directs her support toward scholarships, knowing firsthand the burden of costs on families. "College was the furthest thing from my parents' minds at the time," she reflects. "They both ended up working two, sometimes three jobs-clerking, factory work, handyman jobs, even baking-to help cover my college costs." She hopes her contributions ease those same burdens for today's students, allowing them to focus on their education and careers.

Looking back, Ellen says her Bloomsburg experience gave her the foundation for a fulfilling life. "My BU preparation provided the opportunity to have a 36-year rewarding teaching career and the income to live a comfortable and enjoyable life," she shares. Now, through her RMD giving, she is helping create that same opportunity for the next generation. Click here to learn more about how you can make a future gift to support Bloomsburg students.