October 2007 Development Newsletter

Article Body: Homecoming 2007 Was a Great Weekend on "the Hill." It was a windy, fall weekend when record crowds of alumni and friends gathered September 28-30 to celebrate the annual tradition of Homecoming. The rain held off as athletic, music and theatre events, class reunions, the Alumni College, emeriti banquet, and so much more kept Graceland faithful scurrying from event to event. Old acquaintances were certainly not forgotten as friends who had not seen each other in years met up on our beautiful campus, braved the gusty winds and enjoyed a truly great experience. Take a peek at the following photo galleries to get an idea of the myriad activities that kept us all smiling: Class of 1957, Alumni Activities, Athletics, Fine Arts Play, Student Activities. And, if you haven't been back for a Homecoming in a while, think now about making Graceland part of your fall 2008 plans!

Hal McKain's Loving Tribute to Rozie. Hal McKain '52 has followed classmate Jerry Hampton's example in funding a memorial bench on campus. Hal chose to honor his late wife, Rozie Morris '56 McKain. The new bench and identifying plaque are located between the Memorial Student Center and the Higdon Administration Building and they face the corner office on the third floor of the Ad. Bldg. where Rozie once worked as Director of Personnel. Read this poignant story of an undying love by clicking on Remembering Rozie.

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?

Ribbon Cutting for the new Sandage Center. Duane Sandage of the Sandage Charitable Trust was on the Lamoni campus October 17, with other dignitaries and guests, for the ribbon cutting of the new Sandage Center for the Study of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. The beautiful new offices for our 2006 National Champion and World Cup Runner-Up SIFE team are located at the west entrance of the Memorial Student Center, a busy hub of campus activity, where team members can now be seen hard at work through a double-sided, glass trophy wall. Click on SIFE Ribbon Cutting Gallery to see more photos and SIFE Ribbon Cutting Story to learn who donated funds and labor for the new offices and read about what transpired at the festive event.

Caleb's Philanthropic Spirit Adds to His Family's Graceland Legacy. Senior Caleb Brian has interned at pharmaceutical giant sanofi-aventis (where his dad, Bill, works as a research chemist) for two summers now. When he saw that the company was updating some major lab equipment, he checked to see if the replaced items could be donated to Graceland. Caleb is pictured here with the chair of the Science and Math Division, Dan Pratt (at left) and Professor of Chemistry, Brad Mercer (at right). This bright young man's spirit of philanthropy has resulted in a significant addition to GU's chemistry/biology lab equipment. Learn all about this remarkable story at Caleb's Legacy to Graceland.

Estate Planning Tip of the Month. It might seem early to begin thinking about planning for your 2007 income tax return, but you know how busy you are in November and December. Now is the perfect time to ask yourself: What plans do I need to make before December 31 in order to reduce my tax bill next April? Contact the gift planning office at Graceland University for ideas that will allow you to add to your retirement savings now and receive an income tax deduction for 2007. Contact Ed Fredenberg at edfreden@graceland.edu or call 816-853-0361.
Event Date: 10/4/2007 8:25 AM