Give to OSU

Ensuring the Call to Service

Clint Oster and Jeanine Decker

By Deidre Woodward

A chance conversation with Clint Oster, who at the time was the founding director of the School of Public Administration at The Ohio State University, changed everything for Jeanine Eilers Decker, MPA ’78. She would go on to begin her career pathway; find love and a life partner in fellow cohort and graduate assistant Lance Decker, MPA ’78; and connect with a real sense of joy for learning.

Recently, the pair, who wed in 1978, named the John Glenn College of Public Affairs as a beneficiary of their will through a trust dedicated to general operating support of the college.

Trusting her instincts and asking for advice created opportunity for Jeanine Decker as a student.

“I had finally decided that I enjoyed graduate school more than my job,” she said. “I went to see Dr. Oster and said, ‘I have quit my job to attend this program and have no source of income, do you have any advice for me?’” Oster’s answer was to offer Decker a graduate assistantship on the spot.

“I had no idea what was waiting on the other side of that assistantship. When I think about it, I get ecstatic over the mind expansion that happened for me during that time. It was truly the first time I felt joy while learning and it continued with gaining phenomenal professional lessons in my work with the school,” she added.

After graduating with her MPA, Jeanine Decker went on to become the assistant director of the program under Oster’s leadership. During her tenure, she discovered the importance of general operating support for higher education.

“The current faculty and administration know best about the needs of the college and can choose to spend it in ways that are most beneficial to keep it healthy, stable and effective,” she said. “Scholarships are hugely important, but so are the day-to-day administrative and staff needs. This type of support is a critical foundation to get the job done and that’s why Lance and I decided to contribute in this way.”

Both Jeanine and Lance Decker went on to enjoy distinguished public service careers in the private and nonprofit sectors. She retired in 2012 as employee relations manager for the state of Arizona. His 25 years of public service spanned Ohio, Iowa and Arizona. He managed the corporate strategic planning process for the City of Phoenix and is a lecturer and conference speaker at the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University.

Jeanine Decker said she often reminisces about her last moments serving as the first assistant director of the graduate program.

“I was sitting in my office at Hagerty Hall when the (Orton Hall) chimes started to play and I began to cry. A student walked in and said how sorry he was that I was leaving. All I could do was look back at him and say, ‘I am too,’” she said. “I have lived my whole life loving Ohio State. My mother and father attended the university; Lance and I earned two degrees as Buckeyes. We are delighted to support the Glenn College to ensure there is always a place for those answering the call to serve.”

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to The Ohio State University Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to The Ohio State University Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 14 E. 15th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Ohio State or other charities.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Ohio State as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Ohio State as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Ohio State where you agree to make a gift to Ohio State and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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