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Barnes Legacy Society
The Barnes Legacy Society thanks, honors, and recognizes all individuals who have generously chosen to include Colorado College in their estate plans or who have established life-income gifts.
When most CC alumni and parents hear the name Barnes, they think of science, or chemistry, more specifically. Some fondly remember Professor Otis "Barnie" Barnes, a member of the chemistry department from 1925 to 1962, and his wife, Margaret "Dixie" Tyson Barnes '27. Others think of the Barnes Science Center, built in the 1980s and named in their honor. And yet others recall a generous couple who established a fund to provide full scholarships, initially for chemistry majors and now for all natural science majors. So why would the college choose to name its bequest and planned gift society after the Barneses if they were so closely connected with the sciences? Simple-Otis and Margaret Barnes embodied a lifetime of generosity and service to the college that was not only evident while they were alive, but it is in evidence today and will continue forever. We honor that legacy.
It all began on Christmas Eve 1952, when Otis and Margaret braved the snow to call on then-president General William Gill to deliver a present-a scholarship fund for chemistry majors. While living modestly on a professor's salary, the Barneses invested wisely. In trying to determine what to do with their accumulating money, Margaret suggested to Otis, "Why don't we give scholarships for people to go to Colorado College and give it in your department?" Their initial gift was just more than $5,000, providing the first recipient with a $525 tuition grant. At the time of Otis' death in 1985, the scholarship fund had grown to more than $1.5 million through smart investing and annual gifts from Otis and Margaret.
Membership in the Barnes Legacy Society signifies a commitment to leaving a lasting impact on Colorado College. If you have included Colorado College in your estate plan, we invite you to share your intentions with us. By documenting your gift, we can honor your philanthropic vision and express our deepest gratitude for your generosity.
Please allow us to thank you and welcome you by letting us know you have included a gift to CC in your future plans, or if you'd like to do so.