Anthony Lee '71, M.A. '73, M.L.S., M.A. '80

Anthony Lee '71, M.A. '73, M.L.S., M.A. '80

A Bequest Inspired by a Catalog of Memories

To say that Anthony Lee '71, M.A. '73, M.L.S., M.A. '80 is grateful to Seton Hall for paving the way to a life rich in memories is an understatement. Lee can link every memorable moment of his life at Seton Hall to a personal milestone. Though the much-beloved reference librarian and professor retired in December 2016, his positive impact on campus will continue well into the future thanks to a bequest — an estate gift — he has made to Seton Hall.

How Lee arrived at the University might seem to have been by chance. He prefers to describe it as "kismet." A 1967 graduate of Bridgeton High School in New Jersey, he enjoyed watching Pirate basketball games on television. When it came time to choose a college, he applied to Seton Hall based on what he learned about the University from a college handbook and his attraction to Pirate basketball.

That was the beginning of what would become a nearly 50-year journey with the University. Lee became a faculty member in 1974. He earned tenure in 1980, the year he received an M.A. degree in English from Seton Hall. And though he has left the University as a full-time employee, he will work in the Walsh Library on Sundays through the spring 2017 semester.

Although Lee describes his first couple of undergraduate years as "lonely," every experience he had at Seton Hall — from being involved with the history department and meeting faculty members to the development of the campus — served to transform that lonely feeling into one of deep pride.

Over the years, Lee has observed the many physical changes taking place at Seton Hall. "In the early '70s, new residence halls were being put up," he says. "The new buildings and all the things done to beautify the campus are good for the students and faculty."

Bequests like Lee's provide significant support to the University, ensuring that improvements to campus facilities and programs continue. A donor can decide to establish a planned gift through a will or a trust, designate the gift to a specific program or department at Seton Hall, and indicate the amounts or proportions for distributing the assets to the University.

Given the opportunity to address fellow Seton Hall alumni, he says he would simply state, "You should give back to the school, otherwise nothing is going to happen." His declaration comes from his heart — where Seton Hall has a special place.

At his undergraduate commencement in 1971, Lee remembers meeting Clifford Case, at the time a U.S. senator from New Jersey, who gave the address. And Lee remembers how his mother and father were there in 1973 when he graduated from Seton Hall with a master's degree in history. "I lost my father in 1976, so that was one of the last times with him in public," Lee notes.

At a Glance: Bequests

  • Charitable bequests are made by naming Seton Hall as a beneficiary in your will or living trust. This type of gift does not affect your cash flow.
  • Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime. You can modify your gift at any time should circumstances change.
  • You can direct your gift to the area of Seton Hall's mission that is most meaningful to you.
  • We can provide you with model bequest language and will work with you on the details.