Paul Rettman '68

Paul Rettman's class of 1968 experience and education as a student at Carmel gave him an important foundation upon which he built a successful career and satisfying life. "Carmel was helpful to me in my development as a person, " said Paul. "Carmel was an exceptional college prep high school and was instrumental in getting me an Evans Scholarship and accepted into Purdue University."

Paul said Carmel's environment fostered his faith and academic development. He remembers the faculty who guided him and made a difference in his life; physics teacher Fr. Bryant and English Literature teacher Guy Leekley. Both of these men were effective mentors. Religious and lay faculty taught him discipline and focus needed for him to succeed in college and his career. He affectionately remembered Fr. Simon for getting after him to cut his long hair.

A high-level college prep curriculum enabled him to take advanced English, Math, and Science courses and prepared him well to earn engineering and math degrees from Purdue University and later an MBA from the University of New Haven. While at Carmel, Paul participated in the Spanish and Math Clubs and wrestled for one year.

After a long career in telecommunications management, he decided to evaluate his financial strategy and together with his estate attorney developed a plan that allowed for better use of his financial assets including IRAs. Paul decided to use the accumulated funds in an IRA account to fund an estate gift to Carmel. IRA accounts passed through an estate are very heavily taxed, so an IRA is a logical way to fund a person's charitable goals. Paul also has been an annual donor to Carmel for more than 20 years. Through the annual IRA charitable rollover, he was also able to increase his annual gift to Carmel and help meet his IRA minimum distribution requirements.

Carmel is one of a few charities he wishes to support. A criterion he uses is that he donates to worthwhile causes with which he has had personal experience. He understands that financial support for Carmel is important because Carmel is a stand-alone entity and needs support from alumni. "Carmel needs to continue to give kids the same opportunity for an excellent education as it did for me", Paul said. "This gift leaves me with a good feeling of giving back."