Jim Finkel ’78 exemplifies the power of planned giving, honoring his mentor and ensuring Shady Side Academy’s future impact.
Jim Finkel, Class of 1978, is a proud alumnus of Shady Side Academy and a dedicated member of the Semper Society at Shady Side. Semper Society donors are those who have decided to include Shady Side Academy in their will or other estate plans.
Jim’s journey from determined student to successful finance and law professional highlights the transformative power of a SSA education, and his commitment to giving back sets an inspiring example for others.
Jim’s time at Shady Side Academy profoundly impacted him—particularly his relationship with Bill “Mac” McConnel, Senior School French teacher, cross country coach, and advisor. “Bill helped me in many ways—academically, in sports, and in becoming more independent, responsible and mature,” Jim recalls. This mentorship fostered Jim’s lifelong love for French culture, leading to a year abroad in France during his college career and continuing today with his hobby of translating wine-related manuscripts from French to English and his French-American Foundation Board membership. “All of this was because of Mac’s influence,” Jim says.
Shady Side Academy played a crucial role in honing Jim’s communication skills in writing and speaking. “The close attention and interaction with teachers were invaluable,” he shares. This experience influenced his choices in higher education, seeking institutions that offered similar personalized attention and relationship-building opportunities with professors and peers.
Jim’s journey to becoming a planned giving donor began with a mix of personal and professional growth. Jim’s support grew steadily over the years, primarily through gifts to the Blue & Gold Fund—Shady Side’s Annual Fund—beginning shortly after he graduated in 1978. Over time, his professional success allowed him to reconsider his charitable giving and he knew that educational support was an area of particular interest among his philanthropic choices.
In 2021, Shady Side announced the Gene Deal Fields Project to build a new $2.2 million multi-sport turf field complex. As part of that project, a newly designed cross-country course would be named in honor of Bill McConnel. Jim was inspired to make his first significant gift to Shady Side to honor his friend and mentor, an initiative begun by Jim’s classmate and teammate, Bill Gurtin ’78.
In his mid-30s, a series of personal events prompted Jim to reflect and begin to think seriously about estate planning and legacy. As a tax lawyer by training, he recognized the sensibility of planned giving. “Planned giving allows me to make a significant impact beyond my lifetime,” Jim explains. He appreciates the flexibility it offers and the opportunity to minimize (among other things) at times overlooked state inheritance taxes through thoughtful planning.
Jim hopes his story will inspire fellow alumni to consider planned giving at Shady Side. “It’s important to plan one’s legacy thoughtfully, and it is never too early. Many might not see the imminent need, but you never know.” He also highlights the benefits of tools like donor-advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, and other innovative and valuable forms of planned giving.
Jim Finkel’s dedication to giving back and thoughtful planning exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy that sustains Shady Side Academy. His planned gift is his commitment to ensuring that the transformative power of education continues to thrive at Shady Side for years to come.
For more information on how you can become a member of the Semper Society with a planned gift, please contact Jamie Scott ’98, Chief Philanthropy Officer at jscott@shadysideacademy.org or 412-968-3032.
