Damion McIntosh, Lees Summit, Mo., has made a commitment of more than $400,000 to the School of Leadership Studies at Kansas State University establishing the Damion McIntosh Excellence in Leadership Studies Fund.
The gift will be made through the proceeds of a life insurance policy. The current Kansas City Chiefs and former K-State football player established the fund to provide financial assistance to the School of Leadership Studies at K-State. The gift will be used at the discretion of the school’s director, with preference for use at the Center for Leadership and Sport if established and operational at the time the gift is realized. The School of Leadership Studies, the first school of leadership at a public university in the country, offers the largest academic program at K-State. It provides students with an interdisciplinary learning community while developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring, inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world.
McIntosh was born in Kingston, Jamaica and grew up in Hollywood, Fla. He is a 2000 graduate of K-State with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences. A four-year varsity football letterman at K-State, McIntosh played in 44 games as both an offensive and defensive lineman. After graduation he joined the San Diego Chargers, played for the Miami Dolphins and has played for the Chiefs as an offensive tackle since 2007.
“I am proud to be a part of the foundation that Coach (Bill) Snyder built at K-State,” McIntosh said. “I know that I would not be in the position I am in today without his mentoring, guidance, coaching and most of all his ability to bring out the best in me. After speaking with former players Joe Gordon and Kevin Lockett, it was easy for me to make the decision to give back to the program that gave me the opportunity of a lifetime!”
“It is great to see our alumni — and our former athletes — giving back to the university,” said Mary Hale Tolar, director of the School of Leadership Studies. “Leadership studies at K-State is a one-of-a-kind program, and it would not be possible for this program to flourish without our generous donors.”
Life insurance gifts enable donors to make a substantial future gift by making small premium payments over time. There are several ways to make gifts to K-State through life insurance: Donors may change the beneficiary of an existing policy or purchase and donate a new or existing policy, and transfer ownership to the KSU Foundation. The contract’s value and premiums, given to K-State through the KSU Foundation, may qualify for an income tax deduction. Upon death, the insurance proceeds go to the designated purpose set forth by the donor.
Philanthropic contributions to K-State are coordinated by the Kansas State University Foundation. The foundation manages fundraising efforts with alumni, friends, corporations and foundations to secure private support for the university.
