The Pride | Spring 2015

Chip Fowler ’05: Menter B. Terrill Society As an attorney assisting clients with estate planning, Chip Fowler ’05 helps his clients make decisions on how to dispose of their estates through a well-drafted will. When it came time to create his own, Chip’s decision to include St. Mark’s as a beneficiary was an easy one. “Looking back,” Chip recalls, “St. Mark’s truly shaped who I am today.”

Chip came to St. Mark’s in first grade and is proud of his membership in the 12-Year Club. During his time at St. Mark’s, he served on the Community Service Board and was heavily involved in the Wilderness Club, among other pursuits. Chip points to the accessibility of the St. Mark’s faculty as a defining characteristic of his time at the School. “Being able to see teachers after class time made a huge difference for me, and I really appreciate how much my teachers were there for me.”

After graduation, Chip remained close to the School, attending numerous alumni events and serving as a Co-Chair for the Class of 2005 10th Reunion. “I always felt like St. Mark’s cared about how I was doing, even after I graduated. The outreach from the School made my connection even stronger. I know that St. Mark’s cares about me, and I care about it.”

In his professional career, Chip has seen first-hand the importance of drafting a will that honors the components of an individual’s life that are most important to them. “I advise all of my clients to have a will, so that they can control where their assets go. I recommend that they think of their will as a last thank you—it is a chance for them to look back on their life and decide what the most important aspects are.”

As far as Chip’s own estate plans, he views St. Mark’s as a crucial component. “For people that have an institution like St. Mark’s in their lives, an institution that has done so much for them, it makes sense to honor them in this way. The School has done so much for me, and I appreciate where I am today because of my experiences at St. Mark’s. Including St. Mark’s as a beneficiary in my will is my last thank you note.”

With his commitment, Chip Fowler has made an important gift for the long-term benefit of the School. Adding a bequest to St. Mark’s in a will is one of many options that an individual can choose to make a planned gift to the School. Other options include designating St. Mark’s as a beneficiary on a retirement plan or life insurance policy. For further information on including St. Mark’s in your estate plans, please contact Scott Jolly in the Office of Development at 214.346.8123 or jollys@smtexas.org.