Young Alumnus Changes Lives with Life Insurance

Jonathan G. Cameron '07

FIU Honors College Receives Endowment Support

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM certificant and a licensed life insurance agent at CameronDowning, Jonathan G. Cameron '07 recognizes the impact of giving back to his alma mater in a tangible way.

At just 31 years old, he recently pledged a $100,000 planned gift to create an endowment in the Honors College, naming FIU as the sole owner and beneficiary of an indexed universal life insurance policy. Annual spendable earnings from the endowment will provide funding for the college's general operations and programming. Through this gift, Cameron is setting a precedent for other young alumni to follow.

"Life insurance is an excellent way for younger professionals to give back. It's a vehicle many start thinking about later in life. Yet, assuming good health, opening a policy in your early years is a cost-effective way to give substantially," says Cameron, who holds a B.A. in English with a minor in business.

As an active FIU alumnus, Cameron also understands the value of getting involved with his university, even after graduation. He currently serves as president of the Honors College Alumni Chapter, co-chair of the Honors College Community Advisory Board, and member of the FIU English Alumni Board.

Even as an English major, Cameron knew he wanted to go into business. After working with a Fortune 500 company in the financial sector, he went on to build his own practice.

"I love that I am not only able to return to a community that opened doors for me, personally and professionally, but that my gifts of time and money go a long way," he says. "I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve in a place that not only set me up for success in the workplace, but also helped me become a more well-rounded person."

A Lasting Difference

To Cameron, the Honors College is at the cutting edge of learning; it's a collection of the best and brightest students at FIU where you will find leaders of tomorrow. The Honors College taps into the potential of students, providing an environment that emphasizes innovation, community engagement and excellence in all endeavors, he says. He intends to ensure that this "community within a community" can be there for prospective students for generations to come through his planned gift to the college.

"I wanted to make a lasting difference at my alma mater and add to the endowment. The size of our endowment is an important factor in FIU's ranking among other universities" says Cameron. "I look forward to growing in my involvement at FIU. This gift was just a start. I anticipate great things to come for FIU and I'd like to be part of that."

Cameron has come to realize that every gift to FIU, no matter the size, makes a difference, and he hopes that his gift will be a catalyst for giving.

"While I and many other younger FIU alumni do not have $100,000 sitting in a bank account, a planned gift of life insurance can demonstrate a long-term commitment to the university. This kind of gift allowed me to leverage my giving potential and I am encouraging others to do the same," he says.

Create Your Legacy

Join Jonathan G. Cameron in investing in the future of FIU by making a planned gift to the University. Contact us to get started.