Scholarship Honors Loved One’s Legacy

Erin Cleghorn (B.S. ’97) has remained connected to the growth of education since her time in Tallahassee. A digital media production major, she held positions at WFSU TV/FM, a PBS and NPR affiliate station, and the FSU Alumni Association before relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina, where she now serves as the director of The Meredith Fund at Meredith College. Keeping her love of knowledge close to heart, Erin recently established the Patrick J. Keating Scholarship at Florida State to fulfill her passion and honor the legacy and memory of her late partner, Patrick “Pat” Keating (B.A. ’75).

“He was the most important person in my life,” she shared. “When he died in 2018, I wanted to have a way to keep his name alive and share his legacy. Patrick loved FSU. So, with the help of some wonderful people, the Patrick J. Keating Scholarship was established in his memory.”

Even though Pat and Erin graduated from Florida State, their love of the university came through their years working there. Pat was a valuable member of the WFSU Public Media family, serving in video production roles and as general manager until his retirement in 2015. “Patrick loved using WFSU TV/FM as a teaching resource,” Erin explained. “Seeing generation after generation learn about media and technology [meant a lot].” It was through this memory the inspiration of the scholarship was created.

Benefiting the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, the Patrick J. Keating Scholarship will provide critical support for students who are the first in their families to attend college and may experience economic hardship. A first-generation student himself, Pat saw the importance of investing in others.

“Pat could spot the potential in others, often before they saw it themselves,” Erin said. “[With this scholarship], we can honor Pat, bring out the best of these students and help them imagine the unimaginable.”

Erin’s financial advisor was an integral partner in facilitating her gift to FSU. She reflects on her uncertainty on how to proceed but recalls making contact with the FSU Foundation Office of Gift and Estate Planning, ultimately connecting with planned giving officer Ashley Lainhart and Undergraduate Studies Director of Development Susan Contente to map out a plan.

Her gift was built in two parts. The first is through a cash gift to endow the scholarship. The bulk of the funding comes later via a beneficiary of a paid-up whole life insurance policy. Created in this manner, the student impact begins immediately and will ultimately grow with the estate gift when the time comes.

Now in action, Erin’s experience receiving notes of gratitude from student recipients has been delightful. “The idea that students see [Pat’s] name when they receive their scholarships makes me smile,” she shared. “It’s a gift for them, him and me. Giving back to FSU in this way checks all the boxes for paying it forward.”

Erin also recalls being surprised at how her gift seemed to matter, regardless of its size. “You don’t have to be wealthy to make a gift that has an impact,” she explained. “FSU is a big place, and there is plenty of room for all levels of giving.” She urges others to explore a similar type of gift. “By setting up this scholarship now, [I can] see its impact and enjoy the moment, knowing Patrick’s name will be on something substantive at FSU forever.”

Donate to the Patrick J. Keating Scholarship Fund

To learn more about how you can create a similar legacy at FSU through your estate, please contact The Office of Gift and Estate Planning at (850) 644-0753 or giftplanning@foundation.fsu.edu.