Gretchen Wampler Welch C’66
Gretchen Wampler Welch, Salem College Class of 1966, was a beloved member of her class. A music major who minored in math, Gretchen was also an Orientation Leader among her many activities on campus. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music, Gretchen taught middle school math for many years before turning her focus to her beloved music through church, community chorales, and other music venues.
In 1997, Gretchen reached out to Salem's Office of Institutional Advancement, alerting Salem that her estate plans included a planned gift to Salem.
In addition to documenting her planned gift, in 2005, Gretchen established the endowed Gretchen Wampler Welch Music Scholarship for support of need and/or merit-based music students at Salem. At the time she established the music scholarship, Gretchen told Salem staff members that it was wonderful "to be able to do this for Salem." For many years, Gretchen kept in touch with Salem, learning about the students who were awarded her annual music scholarships.
Sadly, Gretchen's health began to deteriorate quickly. Her classmates of 1966 and all of the Salem family were sorry to hear of her passing in May 2022.
Not long after Gretchen's death, Salem learned that Gretchen's planned gift, documented in 1997, had been invested through years and updated as her life's situations changed. Yet Gretchen always kept Salem as a part of her estate plans, knowing what Salem meant to her and wanting to leave a legacy for Salem.
Indeed, Gretchen left quite a legacy for Salem. She would have been thrilled and probably surprised to know that her planned gift would ultimately provide Salem with an unrestricted gift of $3.6 million!
Gretchen's incredible legacy of this gift reflected her love of Salem College, her love of her classmates and the music program that meant so much to her throughout her life and career. The impact of Gretchen's gift continues to be felt every day at Salem, as she provided a gift that helped strengthen Salem's financial foundation.
You may be surprised by how your own planned gift can grow during the years. Please consider how even a small gift can become a wonderful legacy for Salem.
