Abundant Blessings

The following article was written three weeks before Mr. David Nunn, trustee emeritus, passed away. The Union University family will remember and miss their long time friend and supporter and extends their condolences to Mr. Nunn’s family in their loss.

One of David Nunn’s earliest memories of Union University is at the age of 14 when he helped his older sister move into the women’s dorm on the old campus in the late 1930s.

“When we came into the hallway, she shouted ‘man in the hall’ and all of a sudden every door in that place slammed shut and you didn’t see a soul or hear a peep from anywhere,” recalls Nunn. “I grabbed those two suitcases and left – I wasn’t going in there anymore!”

Nunn, who will celebrate his ninetieth birthday in May, has many fond memories of the university he has supported both financially and as a trustee for more than 30 years. Though he did not attend Union himself, his wife, the late Mildred Warren Nunn, was a graduate.

David Nunn “We started going together when she was a sophomore at Union,” remembers Nunn, who himself attended another local university nearby. “I asked her to marry me, and she said yes, but that she had promised her father she wouldn’t marry until she graduated, and so I would have to wait.” Wait he did and the two were married two years later, in 1939.

Throughout his lifetime, Nunn has shown loyal commitment to his profession, his church and higher education. Elected president of the Bank of Halls in 1948 after starting out as an assistant cashier, he was appointed chairman of the board in 1978. Though his son, Warren, is now president, Nunn still goes to the office each day, admitting that he doesn’t do any actual work anymore, but enjoys visiting with friends who come by to see him.

Trent Bullock (’88) is pastor of First Baptist Church in Halls, where Nunn has been a deacon for 62 years. He says that Nunn is a man of wisdom who continues to show leadership for the church as he has for the past six decades.

Quite often, friends have asked about various ways they can provide gift support to Union University. Many have thought the only significant gift was cash. The truth is that the institution receives many gifts other than cash such as stock, property, gifts–in-kind, and various other assets with value. All of these provide much needed assistance to our students and to the operation of our growing University. There is a particular gift tool that is gaining popularity called the Charitable Gift Annuity. It is a wonderful way to make a meaningful gift while enjoying personal income and tax benefits that can enhance your future financial well-being.

With a Gift Annuity, you receive a lifetime annual income of up to 12%. The percentage return varies by individual based upon age. You may also defer the payments until a future date. This usually provides greater annual income. You get a tax deduction the year the gift is made, plus tax-free return of the principal. Applicable capital gains taxes are deferred if the annuity is funded with appreciated assets.

During times of lower interest rates, Gift Annuity payments can be a way to generate more useable income than you now receive from your investments. This is especially true if you are age 70 or above. If you would like more information about Gift Annuities or any other gift option that might be mutually beneficial to your family and Union, please contact Mr. Paul Veazey or Dr. Charles Fowler at (800) 338- 6644. There is never any cost or obligation and your inquiry will be held in strict confidence.

“Everyone looks up to Mr. David,” says Bullock. “He is a humble gracious person and a true Christian gentleman. I always enjoy hearing him pray – he always begins by being thankful for what we have been given from God.”

Though his health has declined in recent years and he recently had a lengthy stay in the hospital, Nunn still makes it to church as often as possible, enjoying the opportunity to worship with his church family.

“I’m so grateful for what God has blessed me with,” says Nunn. “He blessed me with my health, a long life, a little knowledge – he’s blessed me with everything.”

A member of Union’s Board of Trustees since 1964, now serving as trustee emeritus, Nunn was honored with the honorary alumnus award in 1980, and has served on three presidential search committees.

Through the blessings he has received, Nunn has in turn helped Union, making significant annual gifts to a fund carrying his and his wife's names designated exclusively for scholarships for students wanting to attend Union. He recently set aside a large bequest in his will for this fund that will make it possible to continue to provide scholarships for Union students in perpetuity.

“Union is a fine educational institution – one of the best in this part of the country,” says Nunn. “People couldn’t put their money in any better thing than a place like Union that has been here for such a long time and has done so many great things.”

For information about making gifts to support students or other needs at Union, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (800) 338-6644, or by way of mail, 1050 Union University Dr., Jackson, TN 38305.