A bequest from Thomas Hemnes AB ’70, JD ’74 honors the memory of his wife, Carole, while supporting the future of liberal arts education at Harvard.
As a first-generation college student from the suburbs of Chicago, Tom Hemnes AB ’70, JD ’74 had no idea what to expect when he arrived at Harvard.
Then he stepped into Fine Arts 13, affectionately known by his classmates as “darkness at noon.” During each midday class, the shades would be drawn and the lights dimmed as slides of paintings, sculpture, and architecture from ancient civilizations around the world filled the projector screen. Hemnes’s eyes were opened to a realm of beauty and ideas that he had never encountered, sparking a lifelong love of art.
His perspective continued to expand through Humanities 5, a survey course of Western philosophy. He decided to concentrate in philosophy, and what he learned through a liberal arts education shaped his future career as an intellectual property attorney—where he continues to draw upon Plato and Aristotle in his publications on the intricacies of copyright law.
“My education in the liberal arts gave me perspective and depth that have served me throughout my life,” says Hemnes. “I could never have had a deep appreciation for the arts and humanities without those courses.”
After graduating, he attended Harvard Law School and wrote for the Harvard Law Review, which was instrumental in his career journey. “The Harvard Law Review opened doors for me that I never could have imagined,” he says.
Now, as he plans for his future, he was inspired to give back to Harvard during his 55th Harvard College Reunion in 2025, establishing a revocable bequest intention so more students can experience a life-changing education. With this type of support, a donor arranges to leave a gift through a will or trust that can be changed at any time. This option gives donors control over their assets—whether they are cash, property, or retirement funds—during their lifetime while providing Harvard with future funding. For Hemnes, the key aspect is flexibility, as he can decide to adjust the funding amount over time as needed.
He was also inspired to give in memory of his wife, Carole.
“I’m thankful to Harvard for what I’ve been able to accomplish, but the other person who gets the credit is my wife,” he says.
They met in college and were married for 54 years. Carole, a graduate of Tufts University, was a social worker dedicated to supporting families of children with cancer. Together, they raised three children: Anna, chair of the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University; Abigail, an equity partner at an international law firm; and Jonathan, an engineer and senior technology executive.
Hemnes—who also supports the Harvard College Fund and the Harvard Art Museums—encourages alumni and friends to give back, if they can, to maintain the integrity and independence of the University.
“What we learned last year was how dependent so many universities are on the federal government, and how risky that can be when what's going on in the government changes,” he says. “The ability to have liberal arts courses that teach a deep understanding of history is crucial to our future. We need philosophers as much as we need engineers.”