Mike Silverman ’69 Supports Choate Athletes with a Gift That Gives Back
Choate gave Maurice Michael Silverman ’69, known at Choate as “Mike,” the opportunity to fully embrace life as a student-athlete, an experience that continues to shape his connection to the School today. Through a charitable gift annuity (CGA), he’s supporting Choate’s future while receiving income during his lifetime.
Mike came to Choate for a postgraduate year on full financial aid after a teacher at Stuyvesant High School encouraged him to apply. He excelled in track and field, setting a Choate School record in the 120-yard high hurdles that stood for 29 years, and was part of a gold medal winning 4 x 220-yard relay team and placed second in the 120-yard high hurdles at the New England Prep School Championships. He went on to run track at Columbia University, where he earned a B.A. in economics. Early in his career, he worked at several New York City banks before later serving as a CFO and controller for private companies and nonprofits.
For Mike, Choate’s impact extended beyond athletics. He remembers a community with high standards and expectations and close relationships with classmates, teachers, and coaches. Choate, he says, gave him a sense of “possibility and impact and the pursuit of excellence” while allowing him to be part of what felt like an extraordinary extended family. Mike remains connected today, attending Reunions and keeping in touch with classmates.
When Mike began looking to supplement his retirement income, the retired CPA saw an opportunity to show his gratitude for his Choate experience. A CGA offered income during his lifetime while supporting Choate Athletics, with a preference for the track and field program, so future student-athletes could pursue excellence of their own.
“I’m tremendously grateful for the generosity I was shown and the opportunity to be a part of this inspired community,” Mike says. “A CGA is a wonderful way to say thank you. It’s a win-win.”
© Pentera, Inc. Planned giving content. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer