Barbara Fiddler ’62 credits her mother and father for developing her interest in philanthropy. 

Barbara’s life and career took her far and wide after graduating from UVM, but she has always made donations to the university and now also provides her time by serving on the UVM Libraries Board of Advisors. 

After many years of supporting UVM, Barbara wanted to consider ways to create a future legacy at the place she holds in such high regard. 

She decided to do that in two ways.

First, Barbara included a gift in her will to support English majors with financial need. Barbara believes “very strongly that education is the key to our nation’s future, and the path out of poverty for many”. 

Additionally, Barbara worked with the UVM Foundation to gift a life insurance policy to the university. 

“For those of us who have been fortunate in life have a responsibility to give back, to help those students who are struggling with the cost of a college education.”

In this scenario, Barbara pays the annual premiums on the policy (and receives the tax deductions) and upon her death the policy goes to fund the highest priorities of the UVM Libraries.

As a student, the libraries were a refuge for Barbara and they also represented the social center of campus at the time. She especially loved Billings Library and fondly remembers study (and napping) deep in the stacks. 

Barbara is passionate when she says “We are all alumni of the libraries. No matter your course of study or major, it is essential that the libraries be a strong focal point for resources and programming on campus”. 

Barbara values the treasures in the UVM Libraries and wishes to maximize their use for many generations of UVM students, and the world of researchers beyond.

With these future gifts in place, Barbara can envision how her legacy and generosity will live on at UVM for generations to come—helping students to both access a UVM education and experience the vast resources for learning and research. 

Learn More

Consider joining Barbara by including the part of campus that is most meaningful to you in your will or other estate plans. 

Get in touch with Cheryl Brodowski at cheryl.brodowski@uvm.edu or 802.656.8417 to learn more or check out our legacy planning website.