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Link legacy lives on with estate gift

Donors can support Binghamton through estate planning

Marilyn Link in the cockpit of a Grumman Widgeon, circa 1946.
Marilyn C. Link, LHD '13, in the cockpit of a Grumman Widgeon, circa 1946. Photography: University Libraries.

Marilyn C. Link, LHD ’13, a longtime supporter of Binghamton University and special advisor on the Link Foundation board, died in March 2018 at the age of 94. She left behind a legacy of professional accomplishments and continued support for the University in her will.

Her seven-figure estate gift will be used to support areas of the University that she gave to in the past, including the Link Organ and Music Endowment, Marion Clayton Link Endowment in Creative Writing, Marilyn C. Link Endowed Scholarship for Women in Finance, Link Collection Endowment, Link Engineering Design Laboratory, and Link Maintenance Endowment for the Innovative Practice Center.

Marilyn’s and her family’s contributions made a significant impact at Binghamton and throughout the world. Marilyn’s brother was aviation pioneer and underwater explorer Edwin A. Link, SD ’81, who is credited as being the inventor of flight simulation. She worked closely with him but had her own broad and adventurous career as a pilot, educator, engineer, entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist. She made her mark as managing director of the renowned Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute — all this at a time when women’s roles were too often restricted by society’s expectations of women.

Her father established the Link Piano and Organ Co. in Binghamton. It was through him that she developed a lifelong love of music. She shared this love with the University in her first gift, providing the Music Department with a rare Link organ and establishing an endowment to support music faculty and graduate students.

Later, she provided support for graduate students in the creative writing program and established a scholarship for women in the School of Management’s finance program.

In addition, the Link Collections Exhibit in the University Libraries was made possible by generous funding from Marilyn and the Link Foundation.

Here is more information on how you can provide support for Binghamton in your will