Karen Adams, who recently retired from her role as fellowships coordinator for graduate studies at Georgia Institute of Technology, understands the difference that financial support can make in a scholar’s life. It was her life’s work and her desire to commemorate her spouse that inspired her to establish the Jerry L. Adams ’62 Memorial Scholarship.

“My hope is that the Jerry L. Adams Memorial Scholarship will enable students to create the technological and ethical advances that the world critically needs,” she says. “I’ve seen many brilliant recipients thrive at MIT and love hearing about the magnificent things happening there.”

The scholarship is a fitting memorial to Jerry, who was able to attend MIT by earning a National Merit Scholarship. He became an acclaimed physics professor, author, city councilman, and even produced a science television show. In 1985, he moved his family to Columbia, Maryland, and began working for Merrill Lynch. He also started an MIT alumni club in the area and was working hard to bring computers into Baltimore schools. In 1993, he suddenly passed away at the age of 52.

“Our family began to think about honoring Jerry in a way that would help others,” Karen says, “and the idea of a scholarship at MIT was born.”

“My original thought in setting up the scholarship was that I would give a set amount each year and that the bulk of funding for the scholarship would come from my IRA after my lifetime,” she explains. “When tax laws changed, I was advised that using qualified charitable IRA distributions would be a beneficial way to contribute as it kept my adjusted gross income down and allowed me to meet minimum distribution requirements.” Adams credits her daughter, Alaina, a CPA, and MIT’s Office of Gift Planning as valuable resources in helping her make this decision.

As the years progressed, her goal for the fund evolved. “As I watched the fund grow through the donations of friends and family, I decided I wanted to see a student named as the recipient of the scholarship during my lifetime rather than after,” she says. The scholarship fund reached the required level this past year so that a student will be named as the recipient in the 2018–2019 academic year.

As Karen’s goals changed, MIT was there to offer support—which is one reason Karen encourages others to give in this way. “Charitable giving is needed more than ever, and the rules for giving change with great frequency,” she says. “I encourage others to give to the Jerry L. Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund or to set up funds of their own.”

The distribution of scholarship funds generated by her giving is not the only thing that has changed. “Giving a scholarship to MIT will help students, but this process has also enriched my life as a donor in ways that could not be anticipated,” Karen says, adding that MIT does an “excellent” job of involving donors through programs, publications, and enlightening stories. “I began the scholarship to honor a special person who loved MIT. I am now an enthusiastic supporter and ever so proud of the MIT students who are making a difference in the world.”