Gini McCain '74, From Second Graduating Class to Legacy Donor

Gini McCain '74 was a member of the second graduating class of Minnesota Metropolitan State College now called Metropolitan State University. She fondly remembers the admissions office with brightly colored walls over a drugstore on Seventh and Wabasha, where she worked before enrolling as a student. Those were the days, of course, when the unconventional college had no campus.

When the company she worked for closed, she was hired as one of Metropolitan State's first admissions officers. She truly believed in founding President David Sweet's vision for the new college. She was drawn to the college's innovation and commitment to growth.

In her thirties, Gini tried to work full time and go to school at a traditional college. It wasn't sustainable. She dropped out. When the company Gini had worked for reopened and she was rehired, she decided to finish her degree at Metropolitan State. "Competency-based education at the very new Metro U led to validation of the skills and knowledge I had gained in county government, a nonprofit agency, and a start-up company in biomedical communication systems." she said.

Her fondest memories of Metropolitan State are the people she met. She explained that as a student "the community faculty that I worked with were amazing experts in their fields. We met in their homes and I met people I otherwise would never have met. This provided big exposure to the real world as I finished my degree." Because of Metropolitan State, she had a new beginning to her life in her thirties.

This new beginning "inspired [her] to seek bigger challenges." This included a 23-year career at 3M and extensive volunteerism, including to help build the Metropolitan State Alumni Association.

Gini served on the Alumni Board from 1976–1978 and has continued to volunteer with the university since. She says that as an alumni community, "We share a history. And we pay attention." She encourages all alumni to proudly include their Metro State degree in how they describe themselves, even if they must explain the university.

Today, Gini is also a proud annual donor to Metropolitan State University and has planned for the future with a legacy gift. When asked about her legacy gift, Gini explained that Metro State is one of four organizations that she is truly passionate about. She wanted to make sure she provided for each of the organizations in her estate plans, which includes a gift of 3M stock to the university. As she thought about her giving and reflected on the impact she wanted to make, she "picked the organizations that are really meaningful to me." Metropolitan State is honored to be included as one of her choices.

When asked about what she wants her legacy gift to accomplish, she cited her trust in the organization. She has left her gift undesignated so that it can be used in the area of greatest need when the foundation receives it. She explained, "I have learned that organizations will use the money in the best way that they can at the time." The current situation has called this flexibility into focus as she reflects on the fact that nobody could have planned for the effects of COVID-19. The flexibility and adaptability of unrestricted gifts allow for Metropolitan State University to adapt to the needs of the students, no matter what is happening at the time the gift is received.

As you think about your own legacy as an alum, Gini invites you to look back on the impact that Metro State had for you—the value it had for you. Can you measure that and use it to inspire your own legacy gift? You will join with other Legacy Circle donors to secure the future for the next generation.