Unfold Your Personal Legacy
By Dr. James E. Diamond ’61
When I was a student at Delaware Valley University, there were no scholarships or financial aid programs. When the former Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik on October 4, 1957, the U.S. Congress reacted under the leadership of President Dwight D. Eisenhower by passing the National Defense Education Act to enable American institutions of higher learning to lend a hand to enhance student capabilities to learn science and mathematics.
Had it not been for the National Defense Education Act, plus having a side line of shearing sheep and milking cows, I would not have been able to afford the completion of my education at Delaware Valley University. With this assistance, DelVal was the alpha and omega of a wonderful career.
Who would have ever thought that this naive farm boy from rural Fayette County in southwestern Pennsylvania who stuttered and despised high school would one day become an instructor of animal science at his alma mater; a vocational agriculture teacher at an area vocational technical school; Peace Corps volunteer in Chad, Africa; professor of agricultural and extension education at Penn State University; international agricultural education consultant for the United Nations; dean for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at my alma mater; and author of several books. These are reasons it is now time for me to give back to Delaware Valley University. Hopefully these gifts will assist current and future Aggies to adequately prepare for their respective careers far beyond their wildest expectations.
There are myriad methods you can use to give charitable donations. A personal legacy should reflect what has been most important in your life and the most important people in your life. It should speak from your heart in your own words, thoughts and actions. Determining the legacy you want to leave behind will bring a deeper meaning to your life in the present as well as the future.
Let me close by quoting a Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, "Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." With this being said, may your love for your alma mater, church, devoted friends and family or social group(s) be reflected in your personal legacy and giving capability.
Join Jim and Create Your Legacy
If you would like to discover ways to give back and create your personal legacy at DelVal, contact Joseph Fiochetta at 215.489.2921 or joe.fiochetta@delval.edu to discuss your options.