Christian ethicist Edward Le Roy Long, Jr. found in Drew a rich intellectual community for his scholarship in peace and justice. He also found a strategic partner for estate planning through the university’s Advancement Office, ensuring his legacy will carry on in The Forest.
By the time Professor Edward Le Roy Long, Jr. arrived at Drew Theological School to teach Christian ethics in 1976, he had enjoyed a long and fruitful academic career, writing a dozen books and teaching and lecturing at some of America’s most august seminaries. Still, the nine years he spent at Drew made a profound impression on Long. Since retiring in 1985, the emeritus professor of Christian ethics and theology of culture has donated nearly $300,000 to the university through a variety of planned giving vehicles that also provide him with lifetime retirement income and substantial tax benefits.
“It is possible to support Drew and at the same time assure oneself a comfortable retirement,” Long says.
Long’s philanthropy has helped pay for the renovation of Seminary Hall and bolstered a fund created in his honor by a former doctoral student, Jeffrey Rarich G’86,’91, and his wife, Suzanne M. Rarich. The Edward Le Roy Long Fund for Peacemaking Studies and Programs helps bring guest scholars to Drew and provides funding for Theological School doctoral students working in peacemaking ventures.
“Drew is almost unique as a small, impressive liberal arts college that exists in conjunction with a highly respected graduate school of theology,” Long says. “It must remain viable.”
For more information on planned gifts, contact David Terdiman C’89 at 973.408.3899 or [email protected].