Donor Spotlight: Lisa Bourgeault ’83

For alumna Lisa Bourgeault '83, giving to Pitzer College is a way of paying it forward. Having received financial aid as a student, she gave back to Pitzer when she could. "It was a happily fulfilled obligation. You've got to pass it on," she said.

In this spirit and in support of the school that changed her life, Lisa makes annual gifts to Pitzer. Wanting this to carry on beyond her lifetime, she made a planned gift.

"My time there was so special, and I could not possibly have done it without help. I want to make sure that opportunity is there for other people."

Lisa shared that Pitzer was the most formative experience of her life and, today, 35 years after graduating, it continues to be meaningful and guide her life choices.

"Every day, when I think about current events or go to the voting booth or decide what causes to give to, all of those things are influenced by Pitzer."

In celebration of her 35th reunion, Lisa returned to campus in April for Alumni Weekend, appreciating the chance to reconnect with classmates and see both what's changed and what's stayed the same on campus: "There's a lot of new stuff to see, but it still looks like Pitzer, which was pleasing to an old fogey like me," she said.

Listening to a current student remark on the groundbreaking contributions of Pitzer's earliest alumnae prompted Lisa to contemplate the dynamic and important link between Pitzer's past, present, and future:

"It was really exciting to see a young woman of today recognize how many opportunities are afforded women now because of that generation. I link that idea to Pitzer's motto, mindful of the future. That was such a nice thing about the reunion; realizing in a new way that we should be mindful of the past and how it still contributes to today."

For Lisa, her bequest symbolizes the bonds between past experience at Pitzer, her present ability to give, and her wish to support future students. "A planned gift gives a person a chance to say this is what I love about Pitzer, and I hope to have it continue," she said. "It's an opportunity to help Pitzer remember where it came from and what kind of impact it has on its students."