December 2007 Development Newsletter

Article Body: We Survived the Amazing Ice Storm. The Lamoni campus shut down for a day but we survived what weather analysts are calling a "storm of the century," an amazing ice storm that blasted through a wide swath of the Midwest on December 10 and 11. Thousands of trees were lost (including a number on campus), pulled over by the tremendous weight of inch-thick ice. When the storm ended the landscape resembled a futuristic, crystalline world, captured here by Aaron Neeley of Graceland's Creative Media Center. Click on Ice Age on "the Hill" to view a gallery of Aaron's photos. A huge thank you goes out to Greg Sutherland, Director of Facilities Services, and his daring crews, who made the campus safe for resumption of classes on Wednesday, December 12. They are still cleaning up from a storm none of us are soon to forget.

Seminary Gift Creates a New Endowed Chair. A recent gift to Graceland's Community of Christ Seminary has created the Paul E. Morden Seminary Chair in Religion (the first faculty endowed chair for the seminary) and moved the seminary, according to Dean Don Compier, "a significant step closer to the compliment of full-time faculty needed to obtain accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools." Paul Morden passed away about a year ago. He and his wife Louise are long-time friends of the Community of Christ. Louise chose to honor his memory by creating an endowment of $1 million (to be fully funded by 2011) which will support a full-time faculty member. A dinner was held this fall at Graceland's Independence campus to celebrate the gift: pictured are, from left, Community of Christ President Steve Veazey; Dean Compier; Louise Morden; Graceland Board of Trustees President Ken McClain; and Graceland President John Sellars. In other seminary news, remember that the sixth annual Seminary Convocation will be held at the Independence campus on Sunday, January 6. The theme is "Courage to Reach." The 2008 Theology and Ministry Forum will be held this year on Graceland's Lamoni campus from February 8-10. The theme is "Science and Religion: Pastoral Implications." Click on Graceland Seminary to access their web page and get more information about both exciting events.

"The Yellowjacket" Golf Outing Would Make a Great Last-Minute Gift! Are you looking for a last-minute gift for that special golfer in your life? Consider arranging for them to attend the fourth annual "Yellowjacket" golf outing set for May 1-4 at the Rancho de los Caballeros Resort in Wickenburg, AZ. The event is sponsored by Graceland's Yellowjacket Club, the alumni and friends fundraising team that supports our athletic teams. Proceeds from previous years have funded refurbishing of both the men's and women's basketball locker rooms, and the soccer locker rooms. Director of Development Todd Sturgis attests to the fact that great fellowship and great fun are big parts of why "The Yellowjacket" has been so successful. Email Todd at tsturgis@graceland.edu to sign up the Graceland golfer in your life. Click on the Yellowjacket Club to learn more about this great group of Gracelanders.

Internships for Graceland Students. Did you participate in an internship when you were a Graceland student? A lot of you did, and more and more Graceland students are interning with companies and non-profits during summers and Winter Terms as a way to get great experience and get a leg up on the job market for when they graduate. We are planning a story for the spring issue of the alumni magazine Horizons to feature internships and their growing importance for college students. Contact Editor Randy Meline if you would like to share a special story about your internship experience. Email him at meline@graceland.edu. If you would like to explore the possibility of hosting a Graceland intern this summer at the company where you work, or you have an idea for an internship, contact Michele Beck, Director of Graceland's CAP (career, academic, personal) Center at mbeck@graceland.edu. Successful interns graduate with invaluable real-life skills that propel them into satisfying careers.

New Lamoni High School is Open at Last! The entire community pitched in (like so often happens in Lamoni) when move-in day came at last on Friday, November 30 for the newly-completed Lamoni High School. Graceland and Public school students, faculty and staff joined community members for the Herculean effort and the new high school was open for classes on Monday morning, December 3. The community has pulled together from the start to fund the project and get it built, and now we are all very proud of the result. Click on New High School for a photo gallery.

Estate Planning Tip of the Month. There are only a few days left in 2007 but you still have time (if you are 70 ½ or older) to roll over a gift to Graceland from your IRA, tax free. To learn how recent changes in tax law have made giving to your alma mater easier than ever – and very tax wise – call the Development Office at 1.800.645.3582. You can make an unrestricted gift to the university or designate a specific department, program or scholarship fund you would like to support.

Merry Christmas from the Development Team at Graceland. From every one on the Institutional Advancement team at Graceland University, we wish for you and your family the Merriest Christmas ever and a wonderful New Year. Come back and visit us in 2008, even if you are just driving along I-35 and you have an extra hour to visit campus and say hello. We are located in the Graybill Suites, located just across the street from The Helene Center for the Visual Arts. And, visit our beautiful Independence Campus, located at 1401 W. Truman Road, Independence, MO, if you are going to be in the Kansas City area. Of course we would love to see you at Homecoming next fall. Make plans to make your alma mater a part of your life in 2008!
Event Date: 1/3/2008 3:20 PM