Susan Johnson '68

Susan enjoyed her time at Nerinx including time spent directing the annual musicals and as President of Pep Club. Susan attended St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana and spent her career working in Chicago as a benefits consultant. About 15 years ago, she reconnected with Nerinx and later joined the Board of Directors in 2011 and served as Chair from 2017-2019. She continues to be a vital member of the Nerinx community and currently serves on the Strategic Planning Committee and President's Council.

"Getting reconnected at school over the past 15 years really opened my eyes to the gifts I received from my education and life experience at Nerinx. We didn't talk about it so directly back in the 60s, but the sense of empowerment and individual responsibility to the community was so inbred in us that it never occurred to me that I couldn't do whatever I set my mind to do. Now, watching the young girls come in as freshmen and then graduate as strong women, I want to make sure that Nerinx continues to thrive long after I am gone. The need for financial aid continues to grow so that students, like my niece, can have the advantages of a Nerinx education. I decided to include Nerinx in my estate plans so that the second century of Nerinx education will be even better than the first!"

Sandra Bentley Nelson '52

Sandra Bentley grew up a South Saint Louis City girl. Her early life experience of having a disabled brother with cerebral palsy instilled in her a sense of responsibility and self-reliance. Sandra was awarded a scholarship her first year at Nerinx Hall. She worked multiple jobs to pay for tuition and expenses for the remaining three years. She was involved in Dramatics, Cheerleading, Athletic Association, and served as Senior Class President.

"Nerinx Hall introduced me to a world of cherished friendships…the friends I made at Nerinx remain my closest friends today. Every young woman should have the opportunity to experience such caring and compassionate friendships and the values taught at Nerinx to be better prepared for the future. I have included Nerinx Hall in my will in the hope that this bequest will enrich future generations of Nerinx women."

Shirley Sahrmann '54

Shirley enjoyed her time at Nerinx playing basketball, volleyball, bowling, and softball. She was a member of the Pep Club and President of the NH Athletic Association. She remembers Marcella Vogt being tough as the PE and Science teacher, and Sr. Mary Louise taught Chemistry. The polio epidemic inspired her field choice and she attended Washington University where she was one of few to enter into a new Physical Therapy program. Dr. Sahrmann is Professor Emerita of Physical Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine. She also earned master's and doctorate degrees in Neurobiology from Washington University. She has a published textbook that was translated into seven languages and until Covid was an international lecturer of the Human Movement System, her discovery of movement patterns and their impact on musculoskeletal disease and overall health. Shirley is a Nerinx Women of Excellence award recipient and currently serves on the President's Council.

"The years in high school are a formative time in many ways that extend beyond a pure academic experience. Foundations in personal development that provide a base for the future are also a big part of the experience. My 4 years at Nerinx provided a base that has enabled me to have a career that I could never have imagined because of the opportunity to help individuals compromised in mobility and to enhance the science and practice of the profession of physical therapy. Helping other young women have a comparable experience is the purpose of my gift. I am so fortunate to be able to give back."

Cynthia Vahlkamp '72 on Planned Giving 101

Did you see our story on Cynthia Vahlkamp '72 in the spring edition of the Nerinx Hall magazine? Because she's spot-on (and this content is worth repeating), here's a Planned Giving 101 in Cynthia's words (not ours):

Planned Giving is very, very easy to do. It can take as little as $5,000 - no lawyers or estate planners needed. If you establish a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) with one of the Big 3 players in this business (Fidelity, Vanguard and Schwab), you "Give, Grow, and Donate." It's a three-part process. Again, no lawyers; just you and your computer. You take the tax deduction when you give. You donate any time (while alive and also at your death in percentages you designate for each named institution). You can make any changes at any time. I make routine donations to Nerinx through my DAF and have also designated Nerinx as a beneficiary upon my death. I encourage any Nerinx alum to learn more about starting a DAF as an easy way to give. Check out nerdwallet.com or nptrust.org or any number of other sites. You don't have to be rich or old. It's a great thing to do with a windfall or a bonus, or if you've just paid off a mortgage or a student loan.

Ready to establish a planned gift? Contact Liz Rooney Millikan '87 at lmillikan@nerinxhs.org to learn more about leaving your mark.