Alumna’s IRA Gifts Support Cortland Now and Into the Future

Deborah ’73 and Dennis Borner

Deborah Borner ’73 grew up in Brooklyn and attended SUNY Cortland on a New York State Regents Scholarship. She earned a B.A. in sociology and enjoyed a 25-year career working for U.S. Customs, including at JFK International Airport and the World Trade Center, before retiring as assistant director of intelligence. 

Now living in North Point, Fla., with Dennis, her husband of 46 years, Borner remains connected to Cortland by supporting the philanthropic efforts of the Arethusa sorority. She also has established a scholarship dedicated to her mother’s memory. “She always helped people,” says Borner, who hopes her scholarship will “impact and reward those who do good deeds.”

Borner named Cortland as a percentage beneficiary of her IRA. Her gift will endow her scholarship and make an outright gift to the William H. Parks Family Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education at Raquette Lake to support expenses for infrastructure. “It is the most efficient means to establish an endowment,” Borner says. “There are tax advantages, and it is easy to change beneficiary designations.” She also is planning further support by using her annual IRA required minimum distributions (RMDs). 

As a student, Borner was active in the Arethusa sorority, civil rights promotions and intramural sports. Her favorite memories include many friendships, the diversity of the student population, the spirited adventure of trying new courses and travel. “People went out of their way to help, share papers, share car rides,” she says. “Everyone took care of each other.” Borner encourages other friends of Cortland to consider the legacies they could leave to support future students.