P. O'Dea Coughlin (SPH'79, SON'73)

P. O'Dea Coughlin (SON'73, SPH'79)

P. O'Dea Coughlin came to the Boston University School of Public Health (SPH) because she was enthused by the School's plans-its curriculum, its philosophy, and the fact that it was new.

"Although I will always be faithful to my other schools, SPH will remain in my heart as the place where-at the age of 38-I finally learned how to think," she says today. "The reason? The professors. It was a young school, and we were all pioneers together. It exuded a family atmosphere where professors were friends and mentors."

In recent years, O'Dea has served on SPH's Alumni Board and its Board of Visitors. She is a loyal donor and has made a bequest intention to the School.

"Other than considering for my two grandchildren, it goes without question that I must provide a portion of what I will leave to the School so that others will also learn how to think. Times have changed after all of these years, but we need to foster thinking which leads to creativity, ideas, and devotion which makes this a better world."

She adds: "I hope that those graduates who read my reflections will consider bequests to the School. Many of us never got jobs that made us millionaires, but our education made us another type of millionaire. We need to share this opportunity with others."