From Humble Beginnings to Highly Successful

"The easiest way to express your values beyond your life is making your wishes known in an estate plan or will." - Elizabeth "Liz" Victor, Ph.D., '04

Flagler College, scholarships, and youthful determination helped transform Elizabeth "Liz" Victor '04, from a rebellious teenager with limited opportunities to a respected professor. "No one in my family had attended college. I grew up in a trailer in Middleburg, Florida. I knew I had four years to get out of that," she recalls. Despite offers from Vassar College, Liz chose Flagler. "My family dates back 400 years in St. Augustine and I'd never been away from home. I decided to attend Flagler the same day I toured the campus."

Her husband, Emre Keskin, grew up in Turkey under similar circumstances. "To have opportunities beyond the bare minimum, I needed a degree. My family instilled the importance of getting a higher education as something no one can take away from you," Emre says. He was the first person in his family to earn a Ph.D.

Despite their humble beginnings, Liz and Emre have achieved remarkable milestones. "We both believe that, but for our educations, we would not be in the position we are now," Emre says. He has more than 20 years of information technology experience at prestigious institutions such as the New School for Social Research and Columbia University in New York City. He currently works as the assistant vice provost and managing director for research data strategy at Harvard University. With a Ph.D. in Philosophy, Liz has been a visiting researcher at Georgetown University and has held professorship positions at other universities. She is currently a tenured associate professor of Philosophy and Liberal Studies at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. In this role, she has her finger on the pulse of the seminal issues of our time. Like her Flagler professors before her, she challenges her students to ask hard questions of themselves and of society.

Although still in their 40's, Liz and Emre recently joined the Henry M. Flagler Society by designating a six-figure planned gift to Flagler College. "Until we made an estate plan listing out assets such as our house, life insurance, and 401K, we didn't realize how much we were worth. Should we both die in an unfortunate accident, we wanted some say over where our money would go," Liz says. Emre concurs. "Planning early and ensuring that some portion of our legacy will be part of an institution is a responsibility we have toward future generations." The couple's planned gift will enable them to fund three separate endowments ranging from $300,000 to $500,000, depending on the size of their future estate. Structuring the gift this way requires no immediate financial outlay.

Emre supported his wife's desire to give back to her alma mater. "Whenever Liz talks about Flagler, she lights up. It is clear that Flagler was not just a ‘college' but an essential part of her intellectual growth. Supporting a college that has the ability to train intellectuals is an essential part of my belief about the importance of education. It is my duty to ensure that intellectualism and education get the support they need. If I can ensure that, even in a small way, it will be a duty fulfilled," Emre says.

While Liz and Emre made a generous gift for the future, they believe that people of any age can benefit from estate planning. "If you have an estate of any size, at least consider establishing a contingent beneficiary. The easiest way to express your values beyond your life is to make your wishes known in an estate plan or will," Liz says.

The couple established two endowed scholarships, and one endowed research fund for junior faculty. If funds permit, they will have a fourth endowment, the Victor Keskin Family Endowed Professorship for Humanities in Honor of Dr. Timothy Johnson. Dr. Johnson, Liz says, was an influential professor who had a significant impact on her teaching style. "I entered Flagler as a business major. As a first-generation student, I knew that would get me a job. When I took my first philosophy and religion class, I realized I could have an academic career. Philosophy gave me the language to articulate deep questions; I didn't experience that in high school. I grew intellectually by leaps and bounds in Dr. Johnson's world religions class."

The Joseph Martin Victor, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship will provide merit-based student financial aid. "The scholarship is named for my dad," Liz says. "He was working class; when a better opportunity presented itself, he made the most of it. However, as he earned a little more, I lost some scholarship funding. I wanted to create opportunities for students that weren't contingent on financial need. I worked two jobs for my first two and a half years at Flagler. When scholarships allowed me to work less, my grades went up."

As the name implies, the Victor Keskin Family Endowed Scholarship for Emergency Relief will set aside funds to help students at critical junctures in their lives. This scholarship was inspired by Liz Victor's students. "A lot of my first-generation students get most of the way toward earning a degree when something happens – $500 or $1,000 can make the difference in a student graduating or not," Liz says. Emergency relief funds can help cover the cost of books, utility bills, rent, food, an airline ticket home to visit an ailing parent, or other urgent needs.

The Victor Keskin Family Endowed Research Fund for Junior Faculty will support faculty travel and research. "Humanities receive much less support than business and science. If I didn't have travel funds as a junior professor, I could not have attended professional conferences that helped me establish my program of research," Liz says. Emre believes this fund will be beneficial in helping Flagler recruit and retain humanities professors. The couple feel that liberal arts education is more relevant than ever. For society to thrive, Emre says it needs individuals with the broad-based perspective and critical thinking skills a liberal arts education provides.

Liz grew up in a family of restauranteurs and held service industry jobs to help pay for college. Those experiences galvanized her belief in liberal arts education. "With liberal arts, you're not just earning a credential to get a job. You become a well-rounded, intellectually curious, life-long learner. Because technology changes so rapidly, people need those skills to think through complicated life situations."

After observing Flagler's progress over the past decade, Liz and Emre trust the College to steward their gift wisely. As Liz says, "They haven't compromised on rigorous education, small class sizes, or the personal faculty and student connections."

By investing in education, Liz and Emre will lift others out of limited circumstances and give them opportunities to make a positive difference in society. Reflecting on her own journey, Liz says, "I wouldn't be where I am today without a little help at key points in my life."

Planned giving can be accomplished at any age. To learn how your gift can impact the future of Flagler and its students, contact Nicole Pece, director of Development and Gift Planning, at 904-819-6406 or [email protected].