Honoring the Past by Looking Ahead: Eric Schmelling ’92 Shares a Legacy Gift

Giving is a proud Beloit College tradition, one that Eric Schmelling ’92 embodies through his financial support of the College and his deep belief in the importance of philanthropy. Recently, Eric and his wife Elaine generously included the College in their estate plans.

“My wife and I are grateful to be in this position,” he shared. “The process of setting up a beneficiary designation was surprisingly simple, and it felt good knowing it was also a smart, tax-efficient way to make a lasting impact.”

As the chief philanthropy officer at Rotary International, Eric sees firsthand how generosity transforms lives. “I work with a number of very generous individuals, and they inspire me to give back to the organizations that helped to shape me, including Beloit,” Eric said.

It started with a simple conversation with friends earlier in the year—one that sparked something meaningful in Eric. When his friends shared their decision to include Beloit in their estate plans, he felt a deep sense of connection and purpose. Their commitment inspired him to take action. Why wait to make a difference? After a thoughtful conversation with his wife, Eric visited the College website and, with a few clicks, made a lasting commitment to Beloit’s future.

Eric is grateful for his own Beloit College experience, which helped shape him into the person he is today. As he reflected on his time, he spoke with deep gratitude about the professors who took a personal and genuine interest in his growth, guiding him both academically and personally. He valued the significant leadership opportunities he had, including serving as a resident assistant, and benefited from the diverse and international student body. And it was his time studying abroad in Budapest that profoundly shaped his worldview and educational journey, inspiring him to return later to complete his graduate degree from Central European University. Eric says he draws on all of these experiences daily.

Since graduating, Eric has continued to faithfully support the College. Most recently, during Beloiter Days, Eric reconnected with former economics professor Bob Edler and helped students practice interview skills.

Eric and Elaine’s gift is both a reflection of gratitude and an investment in Beloit’s future. They hope it will help ensure that generations of students continue to experience the same transformative education that shaped Eric’s own journey.

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