Growing up in the suburbs of Baltimore, Stuart Bowers looked forward to attending the University of Maryland. He immersed himself in the college experience, pledging Zeta Psi fraternity, becoming involved in student government, and cheering on the Maryland Terrapins at football and basketball games.

After a short stint in government and politics upon graduation, a fraternity brother encouraged him to apply for an operations job at Legg Mason—the asset management company where he worked. Stuart got the position, which launched a 30+ year career in IT/operations management in the brokerage industry. Today he is the president of DST Brokerage Solutions, which provides technology services to some of the largest brokerage companies in the nation.

As Stuart’s career blossomed, so did his support for his alma mater. A faithful season ticket holder for both football and basketball, over the years he increased his support to the Terrapin Club and became an advocate of Maryland’s student-athletes.

He admires the discipline it takes to be a student-athlete, having to balance academic pursuits with ongoing training and game-day performances. Stuart eventually became president of the Terrapin Club Scholarship Fund, working with university staff and other alumni to help raise the $13 million needed annually to fund the university’s student-athlete scholarship program.

In doing his part, he is a Director’s Circle donor—funding an entire scholarship for a current student-athlete annually. Stuart has stayed in contact with many of the student-athletes he has supported, who have played for a variety of Maryland’s athletic teams—including men’s lacrosse and women’s field hockey. He is so passionate about this cause that his next door neighbor in Florida, who did not attend UMD, has also opted to become a Director Circle donor.

Not forgetting his Baltimore roots, Stuart has likewise championed the university’s Incentive Awards Program—which provides scholarships to public high school students with financial need in both Baltimore City and Prince George’s County. Stuart has been on the Baltimore City selection committee since its inception and funds the David Bowers Memorial Incentive Scholarship, named in memory of his father who was also a Maryland alum.

Rather than using cash, Stuart funds his gifts through the transfer of appreciated securities. In doing so, he is able to take advantage of double tax-saving benefits. First, he receives a charitable deduction for the full fair-market value of the stock. Second, he is not taxed on the capital gain from the sale. By using noncash assets, a donor can make a larger gift at the same cost as cash or make the same size gift at less cost.

While Stuart appreciates being able to see the impact of his ongoing support to the university, he has also included UMD in his estate plan. “With good financial planning, an annual donor should hopefully have even greater funds in their estate to give back to the university,” says Stuart. Wanting his support for student-athletes to continue in perpetuity, he has included a bequest in his will to establish the D. Stuart Bowers Athletics Endowment.

“Once you start giving, it becomes addictive,” says Stuart. “I am happy to share my involvement with and support of Maryland’s students if it will inspire others to give back.”

If you are interested in making a planned gift, contact our staff at giftplanning@umd.edu. There are many ways to make a planned gift. Let us help determine what will work best for you.