Tom Tessier ’74 enrolled in New Hampshire College following four and one half years with the USAF Security Services, including five tours of duty in Vietnam. The GI Bill made it possible for him to attend, along with many from that era. Tom remains grateful for the support he got from his professors, noting, “I owe the college for the rest of my life.” He has expressed his gratitude to Southern New Hampshire University with a series of gifts that directly support the student experience and are designed to grow over time while he receives annual income and tax savings.
Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Tom was treasurer of a large Massachusetts hospital before a career change to financial services. He remains active as senior associate of the Nashua financial planning firm Weisman Tessier Lambert and Halloran which he co-founded in 1984. Tom has volunteered in leadership positions with a number of local community organizations, including as a SNHU trustee for seven years.
Tom and his friend Rick Courtemache ’73 started and continue to support the Veterans Scholarship Fund, one of SNHU’s largest endowed funds that helped 17 students with scholarships in the last academic year. Tom also created a fund for business students to have an opportunity for hands-on investing as part of a class project. Thinking long-term, Tom and his wife Diane have made the university the beneficiary of a significant charitable gift annuity and a paid life insurance policy, future gifts to be received by the university. A charitable gift annuity provides fixed payments for life in exchange for a gift of cash or securities. Gift annuities are easy to set up and can help you save on income taxes or capital gains taxes. A gift of life insurance that you no longer need can be an easy way for you to provide generous support to Southern New Hampshire University and save on estate taxes.
Tom remembers that in the middle of a really nasty rocket attack in Vietnam he thought, “If I get through this, someday, I’m going to do something good.” Tom has indeed been very good to SNHU and his legacy is reflected in the ways he chooses to support the university, now and in the future.