Carla Rosen-Vacher ’82 has always felt a pull to Widener Library, whether studying there as an undergraduate or visiting as an alumna. “It is so beautiful—imposing and yet welcoming,” she says.
The story of its creation—through a memorial gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener for her lost son Harry on the Titanic—has always moved her. “To me, that is the most stunning example of philanthropy to honor a loved one. I wish I could do as much,” says Rosen-Vacher.
Motivated to create her own legacy, Rosen-Vacher established a bequest to Harvard. “It’s such an easy way to express my gratitude for Harvard and the lifelong friendships made there,” she says. “And the beauty of a bequest is that you are helping future generations and scholars.”
A bequest allows you to leave a significant gift from your estate, exempt from federal and state taxes. These planned gifts provide essential support for Harvard’s mission of excellence in education and scholarship.
Rosen-Vacher’s bequest will supplement a charitable remainder unitrust that she created to establish the Professor Edward Rosen Book Fund of the Harvard College Library in memory of her father, a distinguished scholar of the history of science, with the blessing of her mother, who shared her father’s intellectual curiosity and love of books.
She credits her family for instilling a deep appreciation for education and fiscal prudence. “I was financially savvy quite early, thanks to my parents and my aunt,” says Rosen-Vacher, who recognizes that this prioritization made it possible for her to go to Harvard.
For Rosen-Vacher, some of her fondest Harvard memories are the unexpected experiences that became some of the most influential. “I was an economics concentrator, but I often think about the history of art, American architecture (with beloved Professor Neil Levine), and music classes I took,” says Rosen-Vacher, who now channels her creative side as part of a startup in film production.
After Harvard, Rosen-Vacher’s career led her all over the globe—from New York and Pittsburgh to Düsseldorf and Paris—working in advertising, marketing, fundraising for charities, and most recently as the (local) economic and commercial specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, where she lives with her husband Dominique Vacher. This spring, she’ll embark on a new venture in business development in the hospitality sector.
Despite her travels, Harvard is never far away. “Harvard connections make a huge difference,” says Rosen-Vacher, who has remained active with the Harvard Clubs wherever she has lived and helped relaunch the Luxembourg Club with a friend. “There are so many impressive alumni out there. Harvard is a whole universe in and of itself.”
Rosen-Vacher volunteers for her reunions and recently celebrated her 35th. She feels so strongly about the benefits of planned giving that she has been serving as the John Harvard Society chair for her class for over a decade.
“Harvard accompanies you your entire life,” she says. “A bequest is a natural way to give back in gratitude.”
For more information about planning a bequest and suggested legal language, please visit our Bequest/Estate Gifts page or contact the Office of Gift Planning.