Jeffrey Hawley `75—Living Trust

A day student living just three blocks from the Wayland campus in the 1970s, Jeffrey Hawley says his parents’ frugality growing up was frustrating—not understanding why their family of seven had to share three bedrooms and one bathroom.

Now, a recent retiree living in California, Jeff looks back on his father’s spending (or lack thereof) with a new appreciation. “My dad clearly did not believe in spending money on our place of residence—but what he did believe in was education.” 

“I think it is important for Wayland to continue on long after I’m not around—that is why we included Wayland in our living trust.”

Jeff and his four siblings all graduated from college and went on to receive advanced degrees. It’s for these reasons—and the fact that his mother taught kindergarten for 18 years—that he chose to designate Wayland as a part of his living trust.

Jeff retired in 2022, after 52 years of working—including a four-year stint in the early 1970s at Saga Foods (Wayland’s dining services provider). Today, his days are filled with riding e-bikes, tennis, yoga, swimming, and piano lessons.

Jeff encourages his fellow Wayland alumni to consider the value of the support from teachers and coaches while at Wayland.

“Would you have gotten this far today without the help of the Academy? Putting your estate together is a good time to review your life’s accomplishments and dig deep into your hearts and make a decision as to whether or not you feel your high school deserves a place in your trust.”