Donor Spotlight

December 2008 - Brooner gift to SIFE

Donor Spotlight: Orman and Colleen Brooner are familiar friends to Graceland's SIFE program. They traveled with the team to Paris for the World Cup international competition in 2006, and to Dallas and Chicago for national competitions in 2007-08. The Brooners have given of themselves and their resources, including helping fund and construct the new Sandage Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship offices in the MSC. They give to SIFE because "…we believe in the students and the people who work with them." Orman, a 1953 GU graduate and member of the Board of Trustees, and Colleen have done it again and SIFE Director Andy Simpson could not be more delighted. The Brooners have provided $15,000 to help send 13 students on the team's Winter Term project to Thailand. "We thought about going with the team ourselves," Orman said, "but this way another student or two can make the trip." Simpson said, "We love to have Orman and Colleen with us and they will be there in spirit." He said the team will partner with a firm in Thailand to provide small business training in a women's shelter. "We hope those kids have a wonderful time," Colleen added. A SIFE student who will be taking the trip, sophomore Nikky Closson said, "SIFE offers students opportunities and connections they would not experience otherwise. This trip to Thailand will allow us to have a whole new cultural experience while at the same time enriching the lives of others."

November 2008 - Pam and Jim Ash

A Tribute to Jim and Pam Ash and a Gift to Graceland. A $25,000 anonymous gift was received last week for the Ash Women's Soccer Endowment as a tribute to alumni Pam and Jim Ash for their gifts of time and treasure to GU. Jim ('78) and Pam ('77) created the endowment last year. The donor spoke of Jim and Pam's zeal to "get things done," and pointed out that the Ashes have made Graceland a "premier priority" in their lives. The donor hopes other alumni and friends will also come forward. "A main reason for making this gift is to help others recognize the contribution of a few....and maybe energize them a little to make the few....a few more." The Ashes are involved in too many areas of Graceland life to mention here. They are true Gracelanders! Click on A Very Special Gift to learn more.

October 2008 - Chad and Shannon Dailey

Donor Spotlight: The Legacy of a Beautiful Floating Dock on Big G Lake. You never know how alumni are going to give back to their alma mater with unexpected but wonderful additions to our campuses. Chad Dailey and his wife Shannon (Kent) Dailey, both from the Class of 1998, have presented and installed a floating dock on the east side of Big G, offering a pastoral spot to pause during a walk and regard the beauty of our Lamoni campus. The dock will honor Chad's late father, Paul Dailey, from the Class of 1967, who for 20 years was leader of the Ontario, Canada delegation to SPECTACULAR. Chad and Shannon were at Homecoming 2008 for their 10^th reunion and they posed for this photo. Click on A Legacy to Paul to read more about this heart-felt gift.

July 2008 - Resch Science and Technology Hall will Give Graceland a 'State-of-the-Sciences' Facility

Gustav A. Platz and Roy H. Mortimore would be proud indeed of the metamorphosis now taking place within the hallowed halls of their namesake, Platz-Mortimore Science Hall. Graceland's Board of Trustees weighed many options before recently concluding that a complete renovation of Platz-Mortimore - a total makeover - will bequeath to our students a ‘state-of-the-sciences' facility.

The one-on-one, personalized attention science, mathematics and technology students receive at Graceland today from our talented faculty - as yesteryears' students gleaned from professors like Platz and Mortimore and so many others - will now work in tandem within a best-in-the-Midwest sciences' showplace.

The creatively transformed building will be called the Resch Science and Technology Hall to honor Richard J. "Dick" Resch and his family. Resch recently provided a $3 million capstone gift which, united with funds raised during the Graceland Forever Capital Campaign, will provide superb infrastructure and industry-standard equipment, the winning mix to attract outstanding students and exceptional faculty. This historic commitment to academic excellence will lift Graceland to the private-university pinnacle; in study of the sciences. Click here to read more.

June 2008 - Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education

Graceland University's School of Education has been named in honor of Edmund J. Gleazer Jr., Graceland's seventh president and a man considered by many to be the Father of the American Community College. The Graceland Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the naming and Dr. Gleazer was on hand at Commencement May 18 when President John Sellars made the announcement.

President Sellars said he could not be more pleased that Dr. Gleazer's name has been joined with our School of Education. "The name Edmund J. Gleazer is synonymous with the American experience in its pursuit of higher education," Sellars said. "We are deeply honored that Ed has aligned his name with the pursuit of teacher education at Graceland." That pursuit dates back to 1896 when what was called the "normal course" was offered, the year after Graceland College was founded. In 1903 it became the "normal department," later known as the education department. It was in 1960 that an elementary education major was introduced at GU. Click here to read more. 

April 2008 - Alberta Mae (Thomas) Hitch

Alberta Hitch, Class of 1951, wrote to us in Development recently and made a special gift. When at Graceland between 1949 and 1951, there was a glitch with her tuition payments ($1,000 was misplaced) and there was a question about whether she would be able to continue. She did babysitting and cleaned a house (she lived off campus) but could not raise enough money. Graceland stepped in and paid the $1,000 for her. She was able to graduate and she never forgot the kindness shown her. "I always appreciated that," she said in a recent phone conversation from her home in Independence, MO, "and now I am able to pay Graceland back." Alberta, who still lives at home, is a retired elementary teacher (37 years) and her husband, Charles Hitch, a retired banker, also of the Class of 1951, recently moved to The Groves in Independence after suffering a stroke. They lived many years in the Detroit area. One of their five children, Joy, attended GU in 1979. Alberta and Charles have been back to Graceland for Homecomings and they still have great memories from their time on "the Hill." Thank you, Alberta, for remembering your alma mater after more than half a century.

March 2008 - Living Trust and Heritage Club

Donor Spotlight Shines on Bob and Peggy Harder. Joining Graceland's Heritage Club is an excellent way for your family to leave a legacy gift to the University. Some of you may have already arranged to leave such a gift but not yet shared the news with Graceland. In this month's Donor Spotlight we salute Bob and Peggy Harder of Annapolis, MD. Bob graduated from Graceland in 1958, and enjoyed a long and distinguished career teaching. He and Peggy made a provision for a gift to Graceland in their 'living trust' several years ago, but it was not until GU Development Officer Paul Davis met with them recently that we learned the good news. Now the Harders are on the fast track for perks that come with Heritage Club membership. A framed photo of the Higdon Administration Building is on the way and we are set to install a name plate on the Heritage Club wall in the Harpham Heritage Chapel. And, attending all Homecoming events will be free for the Harders from now on. Thanks Bob and Peggy, for letting Graceland know about this wonderful news.

October 2007 - 30 years of giving to GU

This Donor Spotlight Goes Back a Long Way. We have many alumni and friends who make giving to Graceland a regular habit, but perhaps none who surpass the record of Claremont '38 and Charlotte Robinson, of Parkville, MO. This wonderful couple have made a donation to Graceland each year since 1976, even before the Development Office started keeping computer records. That's more than 30 years of consecutive giving to their favorite university. For the record, nearly 50 other couples or individuals have made a gift to Graceland for at least 29 consecutive years, and the list goes on and on. So many wonderful things are happening on "the Hill" and so many students' lives are being transformed at Graceland's Lamoni and Independence campuses. Why not think about starting your own family legacy of consecutive giving?

September 2007 - Adair Scholarship

A Dream Comes True to Fund Graceland Scholarships. About 35 years ago the late Robert and Dorothy Adair dreamed they would someday fund a scholarship foundation for students who would otherwise not be able to attend Graceland. This couple loved hard work, they loved ballroom dancing and they loved Graceland. Read their heartwarming story at A Dream Comes True.

July 2007 - Huntsman Field

Crews have been working hard in the heat to install our new football field artificial surface. Midwest Field and Turf has removed the natural grass and is now working with the many tons of sand and gravel that form the foundation for the synthetic surface. The Yellowjackets opening game is September 1^st - crews expect to have the field ready. The project to reseal and repaint the Leland Drennen Ackerley outdoor track is also progressing. Graceland salutes Johnny (Class of 1962) and Sharon Huntsman for their wonderful gift to make all of this possible. Check out Huntsmans Love GU for the story. Click here to watch our construction camera.

June 2007 - Ackerleys continued support

Who shines in this month's Graceland Investor Spotlight, you ask? That's easy because 2+1 equals 3. In this case, ladies and gentlemen, that's 3 as in $3 million. We salute Robert and Nora Ackerley and Leland and Carmen Ackerley of Houston, Texas. All they've done is add another $1 million to their previous $2 million gift a few years ago to set up the very prestigious Ackerley Computer Science and Technology Scholars program. You can read more by clicking on Ackerley Scholars Rock.

May 2007 - William Turner for SIFE, Business and Faculty Development

In our Investor Spotlight, we salute 90-year-old William Turner of Mesa, Arizona. Bill attended Graceland in 1943, and was moved by a recent story in the Horizons. To honor his wife, Isabelle Dearborn Turner, Mr. Turner has gifted $55,000 now and bequeathed approximately $400,000 later. He wants to honor the memory of his beloved wife, who graduated from GU in 1942, by establishing two endowments, the first for SIFE and business students and the other for faculty development. According to Mr. Turner, "I had a great career as an insurance broker and while going through my collection of mementos found a lot of things from my Graceland days. I had to borrow money to go, so did Liz, and I just wanted to help other students have an easier time of it. We loved Graceland." What a great personal testimony to the power of the "Graceland Experience."

April 2007 - Steve Cackler Science Room and Scholarship

It's absolutely amazing what some people will do to honor and remember a special friendship once forged at Graceland. Hello and welcome to the April edition of the Development Office Newsletter. For the second consecutive edition we pass along news of a gift that will have a major impact on the ongoing Graceland Forever Capital Campaign Phase II. A group of friends living in various parts of the country have banded together to honor Steve Cackler '69. Dr. Cackler lost a long tough battle with a brain tumor several years ago, but he won't soon be forgotten. So far, this group has pledged almost $95,000 to the new Science and Technology Center, both to name a Science room in his honor and to create the Steve Cackler Endowed Scholarship. A significant portion of the gift will be paid in cash before the May 31 Challenge Grant deadline. Please let me know if you would like to honor someone using the same "team" approach. Remember, all cash gifts restricted to the Science and Tech project will be matched half to one by an anonymous donor until May 31. You can go online right now by clicking on Make a Gift Today. Yes, you can use a credit card.

February 2007 - Huntsman Football Renovations

The couple with the best pizza in all of Louisiana has given the Graceland Forever Capital Campaign a major boost. Johnny Huntsman, GU Class of '62, and his wife, Sharon, have gifted a whopping $1 million to the university. It is a win-win scenario for both GU and the community of Lamoni and here's why. The money will be used to install a state-of-the-art artificial surface on the football field at the Bruce Jenner Sports Complex. It means the Lamoni High School football team will never have to cancel a Friday night game on account of bad weather, and local recreation teams will now be given the green light to use the field without worrying about excessive wear and tear. Graceland Head Football Coach Cris Welch has been on Cloud 9 for days and says, "This is a pivotal point in re-establishing our football program!" Please read the whole story on this magnificent gift by clicking on $1 Million Gift.

January 2007 - Gary and Eileen Dyer

Our Investor Spotlight this month shines on Gary and Eileen Dyer of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Not only have they made a splashing $25,000 commitment to the Graceland Forever Capital Campaign, they've also decided to take full advantage of the $2 million Matching Challenge Grant that was just announced at the end of the year by paying the entire pledge in cash at the end of December. You need to know that the Challenge Grant is in effect until May 31, 2007. All cash gifts to Graceland restricted to the Science and Technology Center Project will be matched ½ to 1 up to $4 million. Please make a gift today and take the time to study project details by clicking on Science and Technology Center Project. There has never been a better time to make a gift to your school than right now!

December 2006 - Science and Technology Challenge Grant

How would you like to help Graceland land a free $2 million dollars? Let me explain. The Graceland Forever Capital Campaign is well on its way to reaching its $27 million dollar goal by 2009. We're excited to announce that an anonymous donor has offered a Challenge Grant of up to $2 million dollars. The challenge is for Graceland's alumni and friends to raise $4 million in cash by May 31, 2007 for the Science and Technology Center. You read me right! For every $2 you invest in the project, Graceland will receive $1 from the Challenge Grant, up to $2 million. So, we challenge you to check out the latest on the new building project by clicking on Science and Technology Center. Even though Graceland will be closed from noon on December 22 through January 1, all gifts postmarked in December or made online in December will be receipted as a gift for 2006. Gifts restricted to the Science & Tech project will qualify for the Challenge Match through May 31, 200 7.

And one great piece of campaign news leads to another. In our Investor Spotlight, hats off to Bud and Sue Edwards of Solomons, Maryland. They want to help Graceland take full advantage of this historic matching grant by gifting $110,000 from the estate of Bertram L. Lewis. Bertram was Sue's father and was a longtime physics and science teacher who got his start at Graceland College in the 1920's. With this gift, the Edwards have secured naming rights for the Physics Lab and Physics storage rooms. How wonderful, how gracious, how giving!

September 2006 - Glenna Chapin

It is important for you to know a way that you might consider jumping on board the Graceland Forever campaign: by either joining the Heritage Club and/or clarifying your hopes and dreams for an end-of-life bequest to this life-transforming place. Heritage Club membership is as easy as letting GU know that you made a provision for a gift in your will and or Living Trust. And folks who have already done that in years gone by can give the campaign a financial shot in the arm by telling us what your gift in all likelihood will be. All you have to do is send your Development officer an e-mail and the paperwork is done. Locate your contact by clicking on Development Officer Map. This is a revocable pledge to be sure. In our Investor Spotlight we salute 95-year-old Glenna Chapin of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who recently told Graceland that she expects her Heritage Club gift to be $10,000. We love and appreciate you, Glenna!

August 2006 - McClain Administrative Center Offices

Not only will Graceland be getting a new President but we already have a new man at the helm of the Board of Trustees. We shine our Investor Spotlight on Independence attorney Ken McClain, a proud member of the Graceland Class of 1979. Ken and his wife Cindy just committed $500,000 from their estate as a deferred gift to the University...which is a spectacular way to join the Heritage Club. This gift to the Graceland Forever Campaign along with their family's previous $500,000 cash commitment to the Science and Technology Center qualifies for a $1 million dollar naming opportunity. Hence forth...we unveil the McClain Administrative Center Offices.

Ken and Cindy McClain Receive Award
(January 20, 2007) Board of Trustees chairperson, Ken McClain and his wife, Cindy, were honored at the Independence Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on January 20 with the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. The award is given to those whose civic and community contributions reflect dedication, commitment and hard work to benefit the community. The following was read: "Without question, this husband and wife team not only have big hopes and dreams for Independence, they are actually doing something about it.
Starting in 1995 with the building of the Saddleridge housing subdivision and the renovation of several houses in the Truman Historic District, Ken and Cindy have taken their vision into reality. In addition to raising six children, Ken and Cindy have unofficially adopted the Independence Square as their seventh child. They have purchased, renovated and currently operate eleven properties on the Square, including OPHELIAS, CAFÉ VERONA, GILBERT WITHNEY & COMPANY, CLINTONS AND THE PHAROAH THEATRE."

June 2006 - Scott Sinclair and Cheryl Hansen

In our Investor Spotlight segment this month, we give a well deserved round of applause to Scott Sinclair of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Scott's wife, Cheryl Hansen, is a member of the Graceland Board of Trustees and she recently celebrated another birthday. Much to her surprise, Scott presented her with a newly established endowed music scholarship at Graceland, honoring Cheryl's mother Wanda. Scott has made an initial payment of $3,000. Just so you'll know, Graceland invites alumni and friends to set up scholarships like this for a minimum of $10,000 with three years to reach the minimum. The really neat thing is that when the scholarship money is awarded from this fund Cheryl and Scott will get a thank you note and photograph from the student or students receiving their gift. The Wanda Hansen Endowed Music Scholarship...now that has a great ring to it.

May 2006 - Al and Roberta Dieterman

Everywhere the Development staff travels, we speak first and foremost about Graceland's diehard goal of breaking ground for the new Science and Technology Center in 2009. Do you mind if we brag about a recent gift? In this month's Investor Spotlight we salute Al and Roberta Dieterman of Caledonia, Michigan after they dug down deep to pledge $50,000 to the project. Al graduated from GU in 1956 and with his family's pledge has earned the right to name the conference room in the Science building. Get the latest on this historic Graceland project at Science and Technology Center Update. Maybe this time next month your gift will be highlighted here.

April 2006 - Employer Matching Gift Programs

As we wrapped up the May Newsletter, we mentioned: as the hymn goes "Thank you for all the many blessings. Thank you for all things big and small." In this month's Investor Spotlight we salute some of those who have taken full advantage of their employer matching gift programs. Cherry and Kelly Hartnett of Pennsylvania have gifted $15,000 to GU and Verizon will chip in $15,250 to the Students in Humanitarian Service Endowment; Bill and Goldia Mustain from Louisiana have given $5,000 annually to the Edith Thorpe Endowed Scholarship with Procter & Gamble matching 2-1 bringing the total gift amount to $15,000; and Kirt and Cheryl DeHaan of Missouri have set up the DeHaan Family SIFE Scholarship Endowment by gifting $5,000 while Bank of America matched with another $5K. So you're wondering "will my company match a charitable gift?" You can find out right now by clicking on MATCHING GIFT SEARCH.

March 2006 - David Neal '68 and Jim Neal '74

Now it is time to honor recent gifts to Graceland. This month's Investor Spotlight shines with much affection on David Neal '68 and Jim Neal '74. They've decided to honor their parents on two different fronts. Harold Neal directed orchestra, band and chapel choir at Graceland back in the mid 50's into the early 60's...he also chaired the music and fine arts departments. David has pledged $7,000 to complete a naming opportunity for his father in The Shaw Center. David has also teamed up with second cousin, Joan Drysdale, to add to the "Marnie Neal Children's Literature Library" to purchase new books. Jim Neal saw to it that his father's vintage Stradivarius violin would be on permanent loan to the Graceland music department. It will be used by the orchestra's number one chair. Said Jim, "It's all about my family's sincere reverence for higher education and its perpetuation." Graceland is deeply honored.

February 2006 - Ms Ruth Hutchcroft helps with Scholarship

It's time to sing the praises of a recent investor in Graceland's future. This month's Investor Spotlight zooms in on Ms. Ruth Hutchcroft of Carlsbad, California. Ruth is a proud member of the Class of '41 and has gifted $10,000 in cash to the University to beef up a scholarship fund that will help students who are $1,000 or so short of making ends meet, to attend Graceland. And that's not all folks... Ms. Hutchcroft has told us that we can expect another $10,000 before year's end. After doing some digging, all of this philanthropy makes sense. Ruth's mother, Amy, graduated from Graceland in 1908 and daughter, Susan Hutchcroft, walked with the Class of 1968.

January 2006 - Science and Technology Center and a New Pool Lift

The Graceland Forever Capital Campaign Phase II got a real lift recently with a gift from Steve and Sharon Graybill of Coppell, Texas. The Graceland alums have already sent $10,000 to "the Hill" and that's just the beginning of a $100,000 commitment. We shine this month's Investor Spotlight on them because they have restricted their gift to the Science and Technology Center Project and plan on taking advantage of a naming opportunity to honor longtime GU Science professor Dr. Bruce Graybill...Steve's dad. When we build it...they will come!

A new era of service to disabled persons and senior citizens in the community has arrived at Graceland. The athletic staff was proud to unveil a brand new pool lift for the Closson Center recently. Swimmers needing assistance entering and exiting the pool will now get it. Professor emeritus Tom Nowlin sat in the "hot seat" for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Get a better look at this gizmo by clicking here. Major "kudos" to Gary and Sandy Naylor of Lamoni, Graceland's Facility Services, the Vredenburg Foundation (John, a 1969 Graceland graduate, and Linda Vredenburg), GU Director of Community Outreach Tom Morain and the 'Graceland morning coffee group' for making the lift a reality.

December 2005 - Jim and Lorene Henson

Talk about "awesome gifts", in this month's Donor Spotlight we salute Jim and Lorene Henson of Bonita Springs, Florida. Jim is a former Graceland Board of Trustees member while Lorene grew up in Lamoni. They met and graduated from Graceland in the early 1950's and the rest, as they say, is history. The Hensons have pledged $150,000 to the Science and Tech Center Project with an initial installment of $50,000 already in Graceland's hands. The Hensons will be naming two different rooms in the new building in honor of two of their sons. You can join the excitement by making a gift today.

November 2005 - Ray and Arlene Chase and Kelly and Cherry Hartnett

Passion for Graceland is pretty obvious in the gifts we salute this month in our Investor Spotlight. Ray and Arlene Chase of Gainesville, Virginia have made their commitment to the Graceland Forever Campaign by pledging $325,000. They have actually secured naming rights to the new Science and Technology building's Physics Center. And Kelly and Cherry Hartnett of Glenn Mills, Pennsylvania took full advantage of an employer matching program and have gifted $30,000 over the past two years to a Humanitarian Service Program fund. It's been set up to make it less expensive for Graceland students to travel abroad to work on service projects. The Hartnetts' plan on establishing an endowment for the fund in the years ahead.

We sure hate repeating ourselves in this Development Office newsletter, but this is information well worth repeating in Ed's Tip of the Month. This year those who itemize are allowed to deduct 100% of qualified gifts of cash if postmarked by December 31. If you're over 59 1/2, you're allowed to withdraw and gift from your IRA or any qualified retirement plan. Withdraw $1,000 or $1,000,000! Remember that withdrawals from IRA's will increase adjusted gross income (AGI), but these gifts may be deducted up to 100% (usually we are only allowed to deduct half of that amount.) Whether you make your gift in cash or from your IRA, your deductible gift is limited to 100% of adjusted gross income. Everyone's situation is different, so we recommend you contact your tax advisor to determine how you could benefit this year. For gifts from IRA's, be sure to plan early. There could be a longer than normal process when making such withdrawals from your investment company. For more info please contact our Director of Planned Giving, Ed Fredenberg, at edfreden@graceland.edu .

October 2005 - McClains' Challenge

This month's Donor Spotlight shines brightly on Ken and Cindy McClain of Independence, Missouri. Ken is the Co-Chairman of the campaign and stepped up to the plate with a $500,000 pledge. Quoting Ken, "we have been greatly blessed after making this gift and you will be blessed also if you choose to do the same." Why not take the McClains' challenge by making a gift today!

If you plan to make a gift to Graceland before the end of the year and aren't quite sure which assets would be best, you need to know that the United States Congress has just created a significant temporary tax break with regards to using funds in IRA accounts. This exciting news is what our Director of Planned Giving, Ed Fredenberg, wants to bring you in Ed's Tip of the Month.

September 2005 - 3 Backers

This month's Donor Spotlight is on three Graceland backers who have seen fit to set up endowed scholarships. Mark Wildermuth of Boston, Class of 77, has established a scholarship for Asian students majoring in computer science. Marjorie Belville of Logan, Ohio wants to help Community of Christ students make it to Lamoni. And we also salute the Marshall and Virginia Funkhouser Endowed scholarship created by Virginia now living in Alexandria, Virginia. Just so you'll know Graceland gives investors 3 years to gift a minimum of $10,000 to start an endowment. Funds like these never go away...they live forever! Best of all the students who receive the scholarships send out personal thank you notes along with a color photo for that warm, personal touch.

Ed Fredenberg is our Director of Planned giving and in his Tip of the Month he says that deciding to leave a gift for Graceland at your passing does not mean you have to tear up your will and start over. There are several ways to enhance your will and living trust that are simple and quite painless. Please contact Ed at edfreden@graceland.edu and he will walk you thru the necessary language that you in turn can take to your attorney. Many of you tell us that you want to do more than a monthly and annual gift.

August 2005 - Anonymous Donor

This month's Donor Spotlight illuminates a clever comment from an anonymous donor who just secured a charitable gift annuity with Graceland to the tune of $100K. Quoting this neat lady; "It ties in well with my personal stewardship philosophy...Do your giving while you're living. There's joy in knowing where it's going. Don't wait till you're dead and the will is read." I couldn't have said it better myself.

There are so many ways that alumni and friends can help make Graceland a better place. Ed Fredenburg is our Director of Estate planning and in his "tip of the month" says that one of the most overlooked ways for you to make a significant gift is life insurance. A variety of policies can be purchased at a minimum monthly premium with Graceland named as the beneficiary. The inexpensive rates will surprise you. You can also rework and fine tune your existing policies to accomplish the same goal. Contact Ed at edfreden@graceland.edu and he will give you the complete picture. How great would it feel to leave $100,000 to your alma mater?

July 2005 - Elizabeth Hagerty

It pays to sing the praises of Graceland. In our July "Donor Spotlight" we salute 79-year-old Elizabeth Hagerty of Beardstown, Illinois. All she did was suggest to a friend that he consider an estate gift for a school he'd never heard of. When George Musch passed on almost 2 years ago he gifted a 287 acre farm to Graceland just because he liked all of the great things Liz told him about the place. Right now the property appraises for about $600 thousand dollars. Mrs. Hagerty's daughter and granddaughter graduated from GU, and another granddaughter is currently attending Graceland.

Ed Fredenberg is Graceland's Director of Planned Giving here to offer you his "tip of the month." One of the most important estate planning tools is the living trust, yet relatively few people take advantage of the benefits it offers. Most people tend to view trusts as complex plans used only by the wealthy. This perception is far from the truth. A living trust can benefit many families and situations. A living trust allows you to: 1) eliminate the delay and many expenses related to Probate; 2) minimize estate and inheritance taxes; 3) maintain your privacy – not possible through a will. It is a perfect tool to help control your assets for your lifetime and still include a loving gift to Graceland. You can receive a FREE “Living Trust Information Packet;” please contact Ed at edfreden@graceland.edu.

June 2005 - Mrs. Darlene Wight

This month's Donor Spotlight zooms in on Mrs. Darlene Wight of Independence, Missouri. Darlene has gifted $13,000 to two different memorial funds. The Les Wight Family Award is for the artist with the outstanding painting in the yearly student show, while the Claudia VanBiber 2-D Art Award honors Darlene's mother. Darlene survives her husband, Les, who taught in the Fine Arts Division from 1961-1987.

You can make a special gift to Graceland with a charitable gift annuity. Ed Fredenberg is Graceland's Director of Planned Giving and in his Tip of the Month, Ed says that a charitable gift annuity is a perfect example of how our tax laws continue to provide special ways to accomplish two objectives with the same asset. A closer look at the gift annuity reveals a true win-win proposition. You can receive high returns on an asset and have guaranteed income paid to you, your parent(s), or a loved one for life. But the best news of all is that an annuity can ultimately result in a very nice gift to Graceland. For more on this and other possibilities for planning a gift to Graceland, e-mail Ed at edfreden@graceland.edu. And you can also click on the Graceland web page at the bottom of this newsletter for a variety of gifting ideas.

May 2005 - Mark and Barb Brandt

This month's Donor Spotlight is on Mark and Barb Brandt of Dunedin, Florida. They provided $10,000 dollars to the Fred and Martha Dearborn Scholarship Endowment. Mark sent a heartfelt letter to his aunt and uncle thanking them for being tremendous role models during his formative years. The Brandt's way of paying tribute was to make the gift to the scholarship.

April 2005 - Don and Georgia Payne

This month's Development Office Donor Spotlight is on Don and Georgia Payne of Lincoln, Nebraska. Since 1979 this family has made a gift to Graceland over 303 different months. That is absolutely incredible and we salute their determined dedication to our mission! Don and Georgia said, "We are both educators and believe strongly in the value of education. On top of that, we think our Community of Christ sponsored University is top notch." We think you're great too, Don and Georgia!

The Graceland Forever Capital Campaign continues to pick up steam as we go full throttle in raising $27 million dollars over the next five years to make Graceland the best that it can be. Note that $17 million has been targeted for a state-of-the-art Science and Technology Center. You can jump in with both feet by calling the Development Office to explore giving opportunities for you and your family. To be listed in the Annual Report of Donors in the fall, you need to make your gift by May 31. With Homecoming just six months away, now is the time to make your travel plans. You must come back to "the Hill!"

February 2003 - Graceland Recieves $2 Million Gift

A $2 million gift to Graceland University will benefit the school's computer science department. The gift comes from entrepreneurial brothers, Robert and Leland Ackerley, and will establish the Ackerley Computer Science and Technology Scholars Program. The Ackerleys own and operate Smith and Associates, an independent worldwide distributor of electronic components and semiconductors. The brothers live in Houston, Texas, where their business's headquarters are located, but operate in the global marketplace.

To be set up in an endowment, 45 percent of the gift will be used for student scholarships; 27 percent will be used for the "constant upgrade" of computing facilities and equipment; and 28 percent will be dedicated for faculty support and professional development.

An estimated $30,000 will be given in scholarships every year, Graceland officials say. The computer equipment in the school's lab will be replaced or updated at least every three years. The gift has enabled Graceland to attract James Jones, Ph.D., who will be the director of the new scholars program. Jones, who holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Iowa, has 12 years of federal government service, 15 years of college teaching experience, and three years in the private sector as senior engineer/consultant.

In making the significant gift, the Ackerleys said they want Graceland to become "a recognized center of computer science excellence." They have hired a number of Graceland graduates in recent years and say they have been so impressed by the quality of those graduates they want to assist Graceland in preparing its students.

Neither of the brothers is a Graceland graduate, but their roots to the Southern Iowa university go back to its beginnings. In 1893, their great-great-grandmother, Marietta Walker, donated the original 20 acres of land upon which Graceland's first building was constructed and opened for classes two years later. One of the university's women's residence halls carries the late Mrs. Walker's name and a street on the east side of the Graceland campus bears the Ackerley family name.

The recent gift is the second the brothers have given to Graceland. In 2000, they provided the funding for the 400-meter, all-weather track located in Graceland's Bruce Jenner Sports Complex. The track facility, which includes a storage building, is named in honor of the Ackerleys' father, the late Leland D. Ackerley.

Feb 2003 - Graceland has new M.Ed. Program

Graceland University is now offering the first master of education degree to emphasize Dr. William Glasser's quality school concepts and practices. Announcement was made recently that the university is accepting applications for the program - the only one of its kind in the U. S.

Glasser is a world-renowned psychiatrist, educator, and author of several books including Schools Without Failure, Choice Theory, The Quality School, and Every Student Can Succeed. Glasser states choice theory is the cornerstone of a quality education. With Choice theory, parental support, and improved test scores are results that are achieved consistently in Glasser's quality schools.

The Master of Education with an Emphasis in Quality Teaching Strategies will be offered exclusively by distance learning in a combination of video and online-based courses. The degree is a new focus in Graceland's existing online master of education program, said Dr. Bill Armstrong, Dean of the Graceland School of Education. Graceland established its program in January 2000, in part with funding from a U.S. Department of Education 'Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant.

The online Master of Education program, developed by Armstrong and a team of university education faculty, has received national attention. Courses are aligned with the five core educational propositions of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Armstrong has presented information about the program at a number of national education association conferences. A year ago, U.S. News & World Reports named it among the best online graduate programs.

"We are delighted to be associated with Dr. Glasser and his work," said Armstrong, and we are excited about providing both teachers and their students a pathway to quality and success. "

Recently, Armstrong indicted to Dr. Glasser that Graceland's School of Education intends to seek quality school status. If successful, it will be the first institution of higher learning to be declared a quality school by Dr. Glasser.

Jan 2003 - Gerald Edwards' Gift to Graceland Aids Entrepreneurial Students

An Osceola businessman's gift to Graceland University will help students pursue entrepreneurial paths for years to come. Gerald Edwards, who established the Osceola Farm and Home in 1972, has given Graceland a substantial monetary gift.

The gift is an endowment that will fund scholarships for students who focus on entrepreneurship.

The first scholarships will send six Graceland students on a special trip during the winter term. The students, all members of the University's chapter of Students in Free Enterprise will travel during January to locations where they will perform entrepreneurial projects.

The Graceland students will work with Outreach International in Nicaragua and Mississippi. Outreach International is a human development organization headquartered in Independence, MO. In these 2 locations, the students will conduct workshops on computer literacy, business budgeting and website development for emerging business leaders. The students will take used computers with them and install them for community centers.

In Thailand, students will help villagers with eco-tourism, public relations and business plans. In Honduras, the students will work with Habitat for Humanity. There, they will teach individual families about budgeting, financial management and repayment of their home loans.

"Consider the impact this gift is going to have over the next 100 years." Said Kevin Prine, director of the Graceland University Center for the Study of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, "It is likely that 600 students will make thousands of positive impacts on the world, and will be themselves transformed by those experiences. In the end, there aren't many ways that a philanthropist like Gerald could leave a more last impression."

As guest of honor at the ceremony, Gerald Edwards said, "I am appreciative of the opportunity to help my fellow man. I hope this works to your advantage and that you will take advantage of (the gift) to do good."

His sons Jeff and Pat also addressed the group. "We are very gratified and honored to help in some small way," said Jeff.

"We hope this will be a lasting and ongoing gift that will benefit many," Pat added.

Each of the students personally thanked Edwards for his generous gift and the opportunities it will provide them.

Graceland University President John K. Menzies thanked the donor on behalf of the university saying it is a gift "that will continue to give...This gift will transform lives in quiet and gentle ways, making a difference in the lives of these students and those they meet on the travels around the world.

Sarah Wiltse, associate director of the center, said the six students were selected on the basis of their strengths pertinent to one of the four trips, their skills and competencies, and tenure as members of the Students in Free Enterprise.