Craig Laufer’s Legacy Gift to Support One-on-One Mentoring Opportunities

Professor of biology and co-chair of the Department of Biology Craig S. Laufer, Ph.D., believes one of the best things Hood College offers its students is one-on-one mentoring opportunities. “I find it personally very gratifying,” he says. “I often hear from students after graduation about the benefits of this experience. Scores of students have reached back out to say how much they got out of it. It’s also one of most enriching things we can provide at Hood—and one of the things we do best.”

To ensure that these opportunities remain available to students far beyond their lifetimes, Craig and his wife of 45 years, Janet, created a trust and have named Hood College as one of the beneficiaries. Their estate-plan gift will support faculty and student research. “Oftentimes, resources and money for supplies can hinder this,” Craig says. “It is my hope that this gift will help alleviate that. Also, I would like to see this gift support the faculty’s time in doing this research with the students.”

The Laufers hope to make it easier for future generations of faculty and staff to continue the tradition of one-on-one mentoring in the biology department. “If they had an experience like that themselves during their education, they would know how important and valuable it was to pass it forward and help others explore their own passions,” Craig says.

Inspired by Professor Emerita Dr. Ann Boyd, who created a fund for graduate student research, Craig hopes others will join him and Janet in making a legacy gift to support future students and faculty. “I greatly appreciate Dr. Boyd’s thoughtfulness,” he concludes. “She has always inspired me and supported my career at Hood. Her example has led to my gift, and, hopefully, I can create a chain reaction to inspire others.”