At age three, Marina Vernalis ’73 ’16H, D.O., F.A.C.C., expressed an interest in becoming a doctor. Her family sacrificed to give her an educational head start, but it was Lycoming College that tailored a first-rate educational experience to make her dream come true. Vernalis says it wasn’t easy for women to get accepted into medical school, as only about eight percent of medical school classes were women when she graduated from Lycoming. “God bless Professor Neil Mucklow, head of the philosophy department, who advised me to be an applicant who stood out,” recalls Vernalis. “I still remember his 30-minute advisor sessions on how a liberal arts education was relevant to the practice of medicine, and then he would sign me up for another philosophy course! Needless to say, I was a pre-med student who double majored in biology and philosophy. I stood out, and my Lycoming experience made all the difference.” A retired U.S. Army Colonel, Vernalis was the executive medical director and physician for the Integrative Cardiac Health Project at Walter Reed Military Center. She served as the chief of cardiovascular diseases at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and was the cardiovascular consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General — the first woman appointed to each of these two positions. She was the first woman to represent the U.S. Army on the American College of Cardiology Board of Governors and has served as a cardiovascular consultant to the White House Medical Unit and Office of the Attending Physician to Congress. “I am proud of the Lycoming experience, first-rate professors, valuebased education, unique opportunities, and lasting friendships. I want to help preserve that experience for current and future students.” For this reason, Vernalis established a testamentary trust since it provides a practical way to give a portion of what she has saved back to Lycoming, while also generating an income stream for life and providing for her heirs. “I want to leave a lasting legacy. With this type of trust, I can specifically designate how it is used. I want to create a Lycoming scholarship opportunity for a deserving student from the Shenandoah, Pa., area in honor of my parents, Mary and Peter Vernalis, and brother, Peter Vernalis Jr., who were the proprietors of the Vernalis Restaurant in Shenandoah, Pa. It was my family who made Lycoming possible for me.” “I was an Army doctor, so it’s not much that I have to offer the College,” she shares. “However, even small amounts can make a difference to maintain the value of our degrees. I didn’t know until recently that colleges are also ranked in part by the number of donors who participate. So, I call on my fellow alumni to say, ‘Thank you, Lycoming.’” To learn more about including Lycoming College in your estate planning, contact Robb Dietrich, assistant vice president for major and planned gifts, at dietrich@lycoming.edu or 570-321-4401. I want to leave a lasting legacy Giving At the Heart of Trachte presents Vernalis her honorary degree in 2016 Vernalis with family at her promotion to colonel in the Army 45 www.lycoming.edu
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