Retired Pastor Honors Stepdaughter With USF Endowment Gift

Don Gaines believes in the University of Sioux Falls mission, and he admires the priorities and achievements of his stepdaughter, Dr. Beth Jernberg, USF professor of education. With his gift to establish the Beth Jernberg Faculty Development Endowment, Gaines was able to honor both.

"USF has done an excellent job of providing a high-quality education while maintaining their commitment to Christian principles and practices," says Gaines, a retired pastor. "It's my desire that they continue to prosper, and I'm thankful I had a chance to help."

Gaines had included USF in his will, but says last year he began thinking it would be fun to make a gift during his lifetime rather than waiting. He asked Jeff Veltkamp, director of external relations at USF, about giving options, and Veltkamp explained how a current gift could have extra impact.

Gaines used investment assets to fund a gift that helped the University meet its goal of raising $1.5 million by November 2007, thereby earning a $750,000 matching grant from the Bush Foundation. "When I heard about the matching grant, I knew it was the right time to make my gift," Gaines says.

Gaines has known Jernberg since she was a child, and he became her stepfather in 1989. Although Jernberg's mother passed away in 1998, the stepfather and stepdaughter have remained close. "I have observed Beth's academic contributions at USF, and I admire the choices she's made," Gaines says, explaining that Jernberg is a single parent who transferred from administrative leadership at USF to the classroom in order to have more time with her three adopted daughters.