From a Career to a Legacy

James K. Somerville, professor of history emeritus, taught history at Geneseo for 30 years. Throughout his career and continuing during his retirement, he and his spouse, Arlene, have supported scholarships for Geneseo students. That's why they've chosen to leave a legacy by including Geneseo in their estate plans.

"The most important thing in life is education," Jim says. One of the funds they created, The James and Arleen Somerville First Generation Scholarship, supports students who identify as the first in their family to attend college. Their families often lack experience with college culture they can draw from. "There were many, many students out there whose parents had never had an opportunity to go to college, and we wanted to try to help in a small way, in terms of a first-generation scholarship."

"It's very daunting to be a first-generation student," Arleen says. "The financial aspect is very important, so we could at least address the financial issue, and that has indeed been the crucial reason why our last two scholarship winners came here. They would not have come here had they not received our scholarship. It benefits the college and it benefits them."

In recognition of their passion and support for Geneseo, during his career and since, Jim and Arleen Somerville are the 2022 recipients of the Honorary Membership Award, presented during Reunion Weekend.

IS A CHARITABLE BEQUEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

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