Jeff and Tara O'Hagan (left) have created a fund in memory of Craig O'Hagan (right), Jeff's brother - "a great example of a Western alumnus"
The first time I met Jeff O’Hagan was at the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP) conference in Nova Scotia in spring, 2000. Three things struck me about Jeff. He has a professional and likeable demeanor. He loves his family. And, he loves Western.
Jeff graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1993 and his wife, Tara, graduated from Brescia University College in 1994 with a degree in Sociology. Jeff explained what Western means to them. “The experience we had here formed a big part of our life, our decisions and where we ended up working. We are proud to be alumni. And, I am pleased that I can help The University to be a better place.”
Tara and Jeff have left a bequest to Western to ensure that The University they care about will remain a great place to learn and grow for generations to come. He describes the process of arranging a bequest as simple. “We were doing our Wills anyway. It’s a very simple and easy way to make a gift. You can make a substantial gift that way, too. In any event, when we die, money will come to Western. At minimum, it will be a $100,000 gift.”
Jeff will be leaving more than one legacy to Western. His professional contributions to The University include his current role as Associate Director of the development team in The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and formerly he served as Associate Director of Gift Planning. His professional roles certainly influenced his decision to give to Western. “People that work here should understand more than anybody that The University needs private investment to maintain its excellence. This is one way that we can help that.
“Having been the Associate Director of Gift Planning, and working with people in that area for a number of years, this is one of the most powerful ways we can all make a major difference to the university. It takes a little planning, but it’s an easy way to make a contribution. The collective power of gift planning is significant; besides it’s tax effective. Everyone should be doing it. You’re not giving at the expense of your family.”
Jeff said their daughter, Claire, and son, Craig, are their most important legacies. The influence and importance of family often factors into people’s philanthropic decisions, as was the case for Jeff and Tara. On October 17, 2003, Jeff’s younger brother, Craig O’Hagan, died of Burkitt’s lymphoma at the age of 30. Craig was loved, accomplished, adventurous, and an alumnus of Western, graduating from The Faculty of Engineering in 1996.
Following his death, a fund was established to create the Craig O’Hagan Memorial Award, a bursary in Engineering. Many of Craig’s family and friends have supported this fund, and Jeff and Tara’s bequest will substantially build the principle. Jeff explained how meaningful their gift is to him. “My brother was a role model, not just for me, but for many people. He was a great example of a Western alumnus. The remembrance of him is one thing that will be achieved by our gift.”
Remembering his brother this way creates a very meaningful legacy to Craig and to Western. Jeff also hopes his work in Alumni Relations & Development will leave another legacy for tomorrow. “I hope one legacy I leave is that I’ve done a great job advancing The University by helping to facilitate the power of private giving,” Jeff said.
