Creating a Legacy for the Love of Her Life

Trudy and Jake Piatt Trudy and Jake ’61 Piatt met on a blind date—the independent woman and business education teacher meeting the multisport coach, teacher, and dedicated bachelor. But they hit it off right away—both knowing that they had found their soul mate and spouse. After their first date, Jake told his mother and brothers that he had found the woman he was going to marry, and all replied, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Jake also wasn’t helping the situation. Trudy and Jake had begun dating during the football season, but around Thanksgiving Jake shared, “I won’t be calling you as much soon. Once I finish coaching football, I’ll go right into coaching wrestling, then I coach track, and I just won’t see you much, unless we get married …” But get married they did, seven short months after they first met.

East Stroudsburg University was a very special place to Jake, and Trudy’s feelings soon mirrored her husband’s. After both retired, they moved back to the area and Jake rejoined campus as an administrator. Trudy was quickly embraced by the welcoming ESU family, and she began volunteering at every opportunity. While Jake was working and teaching on campus, he and Trudy had always discussed placing ESU in their will, but they just never completed the process.

When Jake unexpectedly passed away, Trudy knew that she needed to act. After discussing her interest in a bequest gift with her advisors and the ESU Foundation staff, Trudy discovered a perfect fit for her desire to have Jake’s memory live forever. By irrevocably placing the ESU Foundation in her will and informing the Foundation she had done this, Trudy discovered that this commitment could help complete the Turf Project, which funded an artificial playing surface at Eiler-Martin Stadium, and further strengthened the Dr. Cummings A. “Jake” Piatt Memorial Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship supports a member of the Warrior football team with financial need and maintains a specific QPA.

“It was perfect! By sharing my decision to place the ESU Foundation in my will, Jake’s memory will live forever on campus through the naming of the President’s Box at Eiler-Martin Stadium. Jake spent countless hours at the field, both as a four-year starter (he was enshrined into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007) and as a fan of Warrior athletics. The stadium was a very special place for Jake, and it helps me feel like he’s still here with us and an everlasting part of the ESU family.”

Trudy can still be found at every home football game, cheering on the Warriors. She’s also amazed that a gift through her will, “that anyone can make,” could do so much for East Stroudsburg University.

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