Mark Maglin

Navy veteran attributes his success to The Heights

Nearly 40 years later, Mark Maglin '83 still gets together with the lifelong friends he made at The Heights. As the last class to graduate from the former campus in the Friendship Heights neighborhood, which had no athletic facilities, the boys played pickup football in the empty lot across from the school.

Although he didn't attend the iconic Potomac campus, Mark says it was the people who truly mattered—his classmates and teachers. He calls the faculty "lifelong learners" who brought expertise and passion from the professional field to the classroom.

"It's not just about academic preparation; it's also about life preparation," Mark says. "It's about developing the whole person."

After graduating from The Heights, Mark attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a naval aviator for 24 years, retiring from the Navy as a commander. He currently works in the cybersecurity industry and lives in Annapolis.

"I look back and see the foundation that I got from The Heights and the role models there," Mark says. "The academic preparation, the rigor and the discipline has been part of my success in my career."

Mark and his wife, Missy, have been making a monthly contribution to The Heights for years. With their two kids now grown, the couple decided to revise their will and name The Heights as a beneficiary of their estate. The gift is a memorial to Mark's mother, who made financial sacrifices to put him through school.

"I owe a part of my success to The Heights," he says, "so why wouldn't I include them in my estate plan?"

Mark Maglin '83 encourages fellow alumni to consider how much of their success is due to The Heights. Contact James Kolakowski at 301.365.0227 ext. 254 or jkolakowski@heights.edu to include the school in your estate plan.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to The Heights School a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to The Heights School, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 10400 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to The Heights or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to The Heights as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to The Heights as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and The Heights where you agree to make a gift to The Heights and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

Personal Estate Planning Kit Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the materials for planning your estate.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address

eBrochure Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the brochure.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address