Ron Biloff (’62) knows firsthand what it means to “work his way through school.” That’s why after years of running his successful business, Lincoln
Laminating, Ron and his wife, Vicki, love to find ways to help ease the financial burden on Union students so they can focus on succeeding academically.
As a student, Ron worked two or three jobs and was often unable to keep up with his studies. At the suggestion of his friend, Calvin Krueger (’55), Ron left college in 1962 to open Lincoln Laminating, Inc. “There were no profits in the first few years,” Ron remembered. “We were only able to survive because we had no debt.” But Ron worked hard, often well past midnight six days a week, and eventually the company grew and started turning a profit.
Ron and Vicki began giving gifts to Union College that were awarded to help two or three students a year with tuition. Often, when the couple was able to get to know these students, they became like their own children. They bought clothing, helped buy a computer, and even purchased a car for different students. “The Lord has been good to us and we like to share,” Ron explained.
“Giving these students an education makes a positive impact on their lives, which is so important,” Vicki added.
The Biloffs haven’t limited their giving to student scholarships, and have supported the Krueger Center for Science and Mathematics, new windows in the dorms, medical mission trips, international rescue and relief disaster response and most recently a nursing simulation center expansion project and a social space outside the new bouldering cave. Additionally, they have hosted pool parties for students in the physician assistant program to help build a sense of camaraderie among the classmates and to get to know the students better.
Ron and Vicki spend many hours praying over each decision to support student scholarships and the school. “If the Lord hadn’t made it possible with all the breaks through the years, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” Ron said.
Throughout the years, the couple has given in a variety of ways—gifts of stock, gifts from their IRA, and even laminate materials from their business. “There are times when we don’t have enough cash to give the size of gift we want to give,” Ron explained. “But we can give an asset and accomplish the same thing.”
Contribution of an asset such as stock, real estate or life insurance may also provide some ancillary benefits such as avoiding paying capital gains tax, diversifying a stock portfolio, or liquidating an asset that is diminishing in value. “To me, it is the perfect way to give a gift,” Ron said.
“We enjoy helping people,” Ron stated. “It is a lot of fun to see a smile appear on a student’s face and the excitement in their eyes when they meet us and learn we have helped them. Even when we never meet those we are helping, there is great joy in knowing we are making an impact on someone’s life.”
If you would like to learn more about how you can help support the mission of Union College, please call LuAnn Davis, vice president for Advancement, at 402.486.2503 or luann.davis@ucollege.edu. LuAnn would love to help you get connected and feel more a part of the Union College family.