A Love Story Legacy
Wayne '50, M.S. '53 and Bernice (Anderson) '49 Durfee established three charitable gift annuities with URI to support outstanding public education.
This is a love story that spans more than 70 years. It is about two people who met at URI, married, raised a family, celebrated as their children and grandchildren graduated from URI, and made a "second home" on campus.
URI is a family tradition for the Durfees, and Wayne '50, M.S. '53 and Bernice '49 wanted to ensure that others have the same advantage of an outstanding public education. Their ambition was realized through the establishment of three gifts that pay income, also known as charitable gift annuities (CGAs), with URI.
Their relationship with URI started when Wayne came to the University under the GI Bill after serving in World War II. During Wayne's first semester as an undergraduate in the poultry husbandry program, a friend introduced him to Bernice Anderson, who was studying botany. It was the beginning of their 72-year love story. Wayne and Bernice married in 1951, and Wayne continued his academic pursuits, earning an M.S. in poultry husbandry at URI and a Ph.D. at Rutgers.
Wayne returned to URI as an assistant professor of poultry science in 1957 and retired in 1989 as a professor emeritus. Bernice served as "second in command" at the URI Graduate Division for 10 years until they started a family.
"Bernice and I have had a very good life," says Wayne. "As children in the Great Depression, we learned how to be frugal. No matter what the income, we always saved some. When we spoke with our investment counselor about our savings, we found that URI offered us the best rate for secure income at our ages.
"We were planning to leave money to URI anyway, and it makes sense to do it now," he explains. "URI was very responsive in helping us plan, and our CGAs support three scholarships."
Wayne and Bernice appreciated the URI educational experience and wanted to provide others with that opportunity.
"The University has evolved and changed. Sometimes on a Sunday I like to drive through the campus to marvel at recent changes," says Wayne. "I would encourage others to try it—you will like what you see. I still feel welcome here.
"The place is booming. It is like watching your family grow up—a brick and mortar family."
By establishing a charitable gift annuity, Wayne and Bernice ensure that others can build their own stories at URI. To learn more about leaving your legacy at URI, contact Office of Gift Planning at 401.874.7900 or plannedgiving@uri.edu.
Note: Bernice (Anderson) Durfee '49 passed away on December 11, 2019. The URI community extends its deepest sympathy to Wayne and the family as we mourn the loss of one of our own.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.