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Planned Giving Spotlight: Ceci and Michael Neustrom

Once you're a Ragin' Cajun, you're always a Ragin' Cajun. For Ceci and Michael Neustrom, that means leaving a legacy at a place they call home: the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Both Ceci and Michael graduated from the University in 1970. Following graduation, their journey together has been filled with marriage, successful careers, and beautiful children. Now, the Neustroms have decided that leaving a planned gift to the University is the best way for them to ensure that others have the same wonderful experience that they did as students.

Ceci Neustrom actually credits the University for introducing her to her husband. "We wouldn't have ever met had it not been for USL," said Ceci. The two were set up on a blind date by the football coaches and have been inseparable ever since. Ceci was also very involved as a student participating in several organizations and even being named the 1968 Homecoming Queen. Michael was equally as involved with the University as a member of the football team. After graduation, Michael served as the director of police at the University for several years before leaving to pursue higher education at Sam Houston State. Michael returned to the University as a criminal justice professor before becoming the Sheriff of Lafayette Parish.

Ceci's career began as an English teacher before taking an unexpected turn. After taking some time off from teaching to raise her family, she entered into the oil and gas industry as a landman. "It required a lot of on-the-job training but proved to be a great career for me for thirty years," said Ceci. For her 50th birthday, Ceci received a gift from her husband that would change her life once again: art lessons. "[It] was so intimidating to me because I had never drawn or painted before," said Ceci. However, as soon as she took her first class, she realized that art was her true passion and left her job as a landman to focus on art full-time.

Ceci and Michael have always given back to causes that they believed in. Michael was one of the original founders of St. Joseph's Diner, an organization that provides meals to those in need. So, when the opportunity arose to give back to the University, they knew that a planned gift would be the best way to make their donation. For Ceci, the benefits are what attracted her to making this type of contribution. "For one, we were interested in longevity - that the institution would still be alive and kicking down the road," said Ceci. The Neustroms also wanted to invest in their areas of interests. Making a planned gift gave them the freedom to decide where their donation would go. But most importantly, the Neustroms wanted their investment to touch as many people as possible. "No other institution could meet these criteria better than UL Lafayette," said Ceci.

As the University continues to grow, Ceci and Michael Neustrom know that their contribution will help Ragin' Cajuns thrive in the future. The Neustroms' planned gift will benefit both the Department of Criminal Justice and the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center.