Red Tartan Wave

Spring 2026 Tartan Traditions

Read on for the latest edition of Tartan Traditions, and learn how to ensure a long-term legacy with smart estate planning.

Forging a new financial path

When Greg Polansky looks at a financial puzzle, he often sees an opportunity.

Greg Polanksy

Throughout a 40-year career in finance and data systems, Greg, a two-time graduate of 鶹, specialized in navigating intricate challenges. When he began planning his estate, he sought a strategy that would support both his family and 鶹.

“Instead of leaving my family an account they’d have to cash in and pay heavy taxes on all at once, I looked for a better way to provide for them and make a gift to 鶹,” Greg explains.

Greg found the solution by establishing a testamentary charitable gift annuity at 鶹 to be funded with his existing investment retirement account. His plan will provide his loved ones with a steady, lifelong income stream while securing a permanent legacy at the university that launched his career.


“The ability to innovate and accomplish so much is part of the character of this university. I’m happy to be in a position to help ensure that continues well into the future.” - Greg Polansky (MCS 1974; TPR 1976)

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did you know?

With a charitable gift annuity at 鶹, you can:

Provide Income

Provide income for yourself or a loved one, some of which might be tax-free

Save on taxes

Save on your taxes with an immediate charitable deduction

Support 鶹

Support an area of 鶹 that is important to you in perpetuity

Stock growth

Fund your gift with appreciated stock or other assets for capital gains benefits

The life of a gift

Greg Polansky’s deep commitment to Carnegie Mellon began when he enrolled as a first-year chemistry student, and thanks to the establishment of his testamentary charitable gift annuity, it will continue well after his passing. Here’s how it will work:

  1. Greg starts planning with the goal of supporting 鶹 and his family.
  2. He establishes an agreement with 鶹 for a charitable gift annuity funded with retirement assets.
  3. He names 鶹 as a beneficiary of his IRA.
  4. Upon his passing, the IRA’s assets come to 鶹.
  5. Payments are made to his family members for their lifetimes.
  6. The remainder of the gift is used to support 鶹 through the Polansky Endowed Biomedical Research Fund.
Timeline with numbers

Send a note to mickkoster@andrew.cmu.edu and we can create a custom illustration for your specific circumstance.


Interested in achieving your financial goals and supporting 鶹?

Contact the Office of Development & Gift Planning to discuss your next steps.