Gift planning award named for McMaster’s Lorna Somers

A new award for professionals in gift planning is being named for McMaster’s assistant vice-president, development.

The Lorna Somers Legacy Giving Award for Excellence will be presented to an outstanding member of the Niagara Golden Horseshoe chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP).

“This new award, named for our remarkable colleague, is a testament to Lorna’s long and lasting impact and leadership in legacy giving,” says Mary Williams, McMaster vice-president University Advancement. “For more than thirty years she has been a trailblazer and innovator in our field, and continues to be a trusted and knowledgeable practitioner.”

In establishing the award, the Niagara Golden Horseshoe chapter recognized Lorna’s many years’ contribution to McMaster. Among those highlights, is the groundbreaking 1994 textbook Planned Giving for Canadians, co-written with Frank Minton.

“From the introduction of foundational programs like annual and planned giving, and the establishment of major and principal giving and recognition and stewardship, Lorna also leads strategic planning, care and vision development. We are thrilled she has lent her name to this prestigious award as her contributions to planning giving reach far and wide,” reads the online citation establishing the award.

The award was launched at the chapter’s recent annual meeting held in Hamilton.