November 2007 Development Newsletter

Event Date: 11/29/2007 8:15 AM
Article Body: New Vice President for Institutional Advancement Named. Yes, a new VPIA was announced recently but you will quickly recognize his name. President John Sellars has named Kelly Everett to lead our dynamic group, but Kelly is no newcomer to development work at Graceland. He joined the fundraising team in 1998, and he has served as Interim VPIA for more than a year. To read about Kelly's commitment to and passion for Graceland and other important announcements concerning the development team, click on Congratulations to Kelly.

Graceland Forever Capital Campaign is a Smashing Success. The Graceland University Board of Trustees announced at their November meeting that the two-phase Graceland Forever Capital Campaign will come to a close on December 31, 2007. Nearly two years ahead of schedule, this historic campaign has been one of the most successful in university history. Plan to read about the campaign, the Gracelanders who worked so hard for its success, the extraordinary donors who stepped up to make it all possible, and much more, in a special issue of our alumni magazine, Horizons, due out in January.

Alumni Board of Directors Promote a New and Easy Way to Give to Graceland. The board voted unanimously at their November meeting to encourage alumni and friends to raise money for Graceland Alumni Scholarships just by searching the Internet or shopping online with GoodSearch. Simply go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and choose Graceland University Alumni Scholarship as your non-profit of choice. Every time a Gracelander uses this Yahoo-powered search engine, the university receives a penny. Who knows how significant this new fundraising tool could become? Let's all give it a try and find out!

International Night is a Big Hit at Graceland. There are so many events and activities going on at both of our campuses this time of year, but one of the most colorful and exciting is International Night, held each November as part of Multicultural Week. Click on International Night for a gorgeous photo gallery. Graceland is truly an international university. We welcomed 161 international students from nearly 50 countries this year. That represents 17 percent of our Lamoni campus student body. President Sellars and Graceland Student Government President Manasseh Chibwe (who hails from Zambia) will adorn page two of the new Horizons to celebrate this global heritage, and President Sellars will also introduce the Annual Report (fiscal accomplishments) section of the magazine. You can expect him to do a little humble boasting about both subjects.

Dennis Piepergerdes is Joining the Retirement Club. Dennis's relationship with Graceland and the Community of Christ goes back 50 years, to his undergraduate years on "the Hill." He worked with GU Institutional Advancement in the 1980s. Later, he did major fundraising for construction of the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, MO. He served as Graceland's VP for Institutional Advancement in the 1990s, and after once trying to retire, was lured back five years ago to run our Creative Media Center and be our chief photographer. This time he says he is really going to do it. Read about Dennis and his wonderful wife Mary Lou at Dennis Retires.

Men's Soccer Team Goes to Nationals. Our 2006 National Champion Men's Soccer team made it to the national tournament again this year (an outstanding feat) and we cheer their success with all the Blue and Gold pride we can muster. Congratulations, guys! They are a great group of young men led by outstanding coach, committed educator, and a great guy himself, Ivan Joseph. Read more about the soccer team, all the fall teams, and what's going on right now with our exciting winter teams, by visiting the GU athletics Web site at Graceland Athletics.

Graceland Alumni Programs Reception to Follow Community of Christ Advent Service. The annual Community of Christ Advent Service planned for 7 p.m. Sunday, December 9, at the Temple in Independence, MO, will feature a distinct Graceland presence this year. Our Symphony Orchestra, University Chorus, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and faculty soloists will participate. A reception will follow the service where Graceland alumni and friends will have a chance to spend time together. If you can't be in Independence, click on the Advent button so you can be a part of the live Web cast.

Estate Planning Tip of the Month. Did you know you can make a gift from your IRA if you are age 70½ or older? It is a simple process. Tell your investment advisor how much you want distributed to Graceland University and include our address. They will send a check to Graceland on your behalf. Please call Todd Sturgis at 1.800.645.3582 to let us know how you want your gift used, or if it should remain unrestricted. You may direct your gift to a specific department, program or scholarship fund.

Posted by Sue Olson on 11/28/2007 8:15:00 AM

November 2007 Development Newsletter

November 2007 Development Newsletter

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