Outright Gift Combined with Bequest Help Carry Passion to Another Generation

Stewart Thomson (l) and Institute Director Michael Stafford (r)

As a student at Cranbrook Schools, alumnus Stewart Thomson C’76 spent his afternoons in the halls of the Institute of Science as an exhibits team volunteer. Now, after a first career in foreign exchange trading, private banking, and private equity, Stewart has enjoyed a second career in jewelry design for the past 20 years. An aficionado of geology, metalsmithing, and astrophotography, he cites his broad experiences at Cranbrook as the catalyst for this successful second career, and ultimately, his desire to leave a legacy to the Institute.

It was during a review of his will in 2017 that Stewart realized his love of geology and astrophotography strongly paralleled the goals and mission of the Institute. “The interest and passions that the Institute created started bubbling back into my thoughts ... and it suddenly dawned on me that this is a perfect place for me to leave a legacy.”

Through both an outright gift from his IRA and by updating his will to include a bequest to the Institute, Stewart established the Stewart Williams Thomson Fund for Earth Science, Astronomy, and Exhibition Support. This permanently endowed fund will directly support the Institute’s activities, collections, and programs related to Earth Sciences and Astronomy as well as the needs related to the Institute’s many permanent and temporary exhibitions. By working closely with the Institute’s development team, Stewart was able to structure a gift that helps ensure the Institute has the funds and flexibility it needs to continue its mission and fulfills his goal of providing educational opportunities for all ages in the fields of Earth Sciences and Astronomy. And by starting the Fund now, Stewart will have the opportunity to see, and enjoy, the immediate impact of his gift. He offers this advice to others considering how they can leave their legacies at Cranbrook: “Support a passion. Support something that carries your passion to another generation.”