An Easy Way to Give Back: The Werners Use a QCD to Support Future North Park Students

The Rev. Ruthanne Werner BA ’66, MDiv ’85 and her husband, Dr. Bill Werner BA ’69, know the lifechanging impact of scholarships. That’s why they have made a planned gift to North Park using a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from their IRA that will support the university and its students for years to come.

Ruthanne and Bill were both scholarship students at NPU, inspiring their lifelong commitment to giving back. They note that giving with a QCD from their IRA is impactful and fits well with their retirement planning, offering both flexibility and tax advantages.

The Werners’ gift also reflects the values that guided their careers. Ruthanne served as a hospital chaplain at Swedish Covenant Hospital for 25 years, while Bill built a career in internal medicine and health leadership. Both believe deeply in supporting education—especially for first-generation and underrepresented students and those pursuing public health.

The couple’s generosity builds on a long history of giving. They have supported major NPU campaigns, including Nyvall Hall and Brandel Library, and faithfully contributed through annual gifts. Now, their planned gift ensures that future generations of students will have the same opportunities they enjoyed.

The Werners’ story shows that anyone can use tools like QCDs to make a meaningful impact without affecting day-to-day finances. “QCDs are a great way to give from qualified accounts without tax burden,” Ruthanne says. “It’s flexible, impactful, and fits well with retirement planning.”