A valuable education

Donor Profile: Dr. Mary Elizabeth Dixon

Relationship to Millersville

Dr. Dixon was a retired Physical Education teacher, Coach of the women's field hockey and basketball programs, and founder and advisor to the Dolphin Club, synchronized swimming team.

Type of Gift

Life estate agreement

Dr. Dixon passed away in 2009 at the age of 93, so this profile has been taken from an interview with her in 2007 for the Millersville University Alumni Review magazine.

Please reflect on your experiences at Millersville.

I knew I wanted to teach physical education at the post-secondary level. It was kind of a stroke of luck that I landed here at Millersville. When job hunting after World War II, four of Pennsylvania's state teachers colleges had openings. President Biemesderfer persuaded me to come to Millersville.

What motivates you to give?

I support organizations and causes which are of personal value to me including Wheatland, Rock Ford Plantation, the Farmland Preservation Trust, Fulton Opera House, Lancaster County Citizen Scholarship Foundation, and Millersville students. Each one suggests a value in history, in what should be preserved, in what is important for observing and learning.

How did you decide a life estate agreement was the type of gift you wanted to give?

In 1957, I built a home in Millersville. About a decade ago, I decided to contract with the University for a life-estate agreement, and I immediately realized a number of substantial deductions for my gift. My home is now the property of Millersville University. I still live there and will do so for the remainder of my life.

Why did you make this gift?

I enjoyed my career and Millersville and am grateful for the opportunity to have known faculty and staff personally. Perhaps most of all, Millersville has fulfilled the high commitment to education which my parents passed along.

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