If UALR Alumni Association President Don Riggin is sure of one thing in life it is this: Most people are natural givers.
"People really do want to give back. I believe that to the bottom of my toes," he said.
The challenge, according to Riggin, is tapping into that natural desire to give and connecting it to a particular passion. In other words, the issue is not whether to give, but instead what cause to support and in what manner.
For Riggin, one of his passions is education, including UALR, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1962. The school was known then as Little Rock University and Riggin secured a spot as its student body president.
Riggin's college mentors instilled within him critical thinking skills that became the cornerstone of his long-running career at the Arthritis Foundation and are part of the reason Riggin is so enthusiastic about giving back.
A commitment to giving to higher education in central Arkansas is crucial, according to Riggin.
"To me, I think planned giving is an easy way to make that commitment," he said. "But you can't ask someone to do something you yourself are not willing to do."
That's why Riggin has designated UALR as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, making him the second consecutive board president at UALR to have established a planned gift to the institution.
Retirement assets also make an excellent bequest, said Riggin, or setting up an endowed scholarship. But giving at any level or manner is appreciated since UALR is providing an educated workforce that contributes back to the community.
"I love to see people get invested in something. And I think the community is realizing UALR is an asset in more ways than one," said Riggin.
"I love this institution — always have, always will," he said.
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