REAPING THE BLESSINGS OF GIVING BACK

Christine Hinek Mottl '72

Christine Hinek Mottl's path has taken her from New York City, to Oneonta, to Australia, and to many places in between. After a career teaching math and now as an ordained Episcopal priest, Christine is pleased to reap the blessings of contributing to the future of our students.

"I was a math education major and made many wonderful friendships from 1968 to 1972 when I graduated from Oneonta," Christine says. "I met many people from upstate, which opened up a whole new world: Instead of 500 in a graduating class in high school, there may have been 25 to 30 in theirs! A faculty member who stands out in my mind is Mrs. Sejersen, who taught math methods. She was short, funny, and demanding, always stressing that we needed to know many ways to teach a topic because students learn in different ways."

After 20 years in the classroom, Christine was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2000 and now serves in as a pastor in Pennsylvania.

"Preaching is a lot like teaching math—sometimes the lessons are difficult to comprehend, and numerous and varied examples are needed!"

Christine credits her degree from Oneonta for helping her find her fulfilling life. After years of loyal giving to the College, Christine plans to include the College at Oneonta Foundation in her estate plan as her way of giving back.

"I felt very lucky to attend college, since my generation was the first in my family to do so. I believe that the College at Oneonta Foundation gave me a very good education at a price that my family could afford. I would like to help others take that first step."

Christine's gift to the Foundation through her estate plan will be made after her lifetime, thus not affecting her current finances.

"One of the beliefs foundational to my life is to respect the dignity of every person. To do that fully, we must provide opportunities for people to reach their potential. My education at Oneonta provided me that opportunity, and I would like to do the same for others," she says.

"Most of us alumni have been able to achieve success in our lives based on the solid education we received at Oneonta. Because of that, my husband and I have been able to send our children through college and see them succeed. I feel that if we can contribute to other children's futures as well, we will all reap those blessings. End of sermon!"