September 2007 Development Newsletter

Article Body: 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.

Move-In Day is a Great Day for All. Faculty, staff, student athletes, Lamoni residents and Graceland's new president John Sellars and first lady Bette Sellars mobilized on Saturday, September 1^st for GU's annual move-in day for new and returning students. It was a fun time for all concerned and made an otherwise tough job a whole lot quicker, and more fun. See photos at Moving In.

Yellowjacket Club Does it Again. Funds raised at the Yellowjacket Club's annual golf outing have worked their wonder again. In 2005 and 2006 the athletics' booster group funded remodeling of the men's and women's basketball locker rooms. Now, proceeds from the 2007 event have funded a remodel of the men's and women's soccer locker rooms. See A Fresh Look for photos and to learn more about joining this dedicated group visit the Yellowjacket Club web page.

Jazz on the Bricks Brings KC Alumni Together. It was another gorgeous night for jazz and barbeque September 7^th when the annual Independence Campus mini-homecoming Jazz on the Bricks brought 150 alumni and friends together for fellowship and fun. Don Booz and his Jazz Daddies + One provided their smooth sound to the event again this year. See Jazz Photos for a look at the festivities.

A Clean Sweep at Pizza Shack. Alumnus Johnny Huntsman and his wife Sharon (who funded our great new artificial field turf) were in town for Graceland's home football opener September 8^th and Johnny swept the kitchen at Pizza Shack, where he worked as a student (1958-62). Johnny and Sharon own a chain of Johnny's Pizza House restaurants in Louisiana, where the Sweep the Kitchen pizza is a favorite. Jerry Hampton, Larry and Todd Sturgis, Steve Anders and others were on hand to spend time with the Huntsmans at Pizza Shack. See Sweeping Up for photos.

A New 'Welcome to Lamoni and Graceland' Sign. A beautiful, new, illuminated Graceland University sign now welcomes I-35 motorists exiting at Lamoni's north loop of Hwy. 69 and approaching campus from the east. The GU classes of 1955 and 1980 funded the project and once again Mark Christenson, class of 1978, donated his masonry expertise, as he has with other signage projects in the past. A big thanks to all who made it possible.

Second City Kicks Off Performing Arts Series. September 21^st marks the first event of the 2007-08 Performing Arts Series, the Second City comedy troupe from Chicago. Click on Great PAS Season for details of all the performances planned. If you live within range, there is still time to get a season pass and enjoy all the great entertainment.

Estate Planning Tip of the Month. September might seem early to begin thinking about planning for your 2007 income tax return, but knowing how busy November and December can be makes now the perfect time to think about this question. "Do I need to make plans or adjust my plans now in order to pay less income tax next April?" If your answer is "yes," contact the Planned Giving office at Graceland and ask for ideas that will allow you to save more for retirement or preserve more for your heirs and receive a tax deduction at the same time. Contact Ed Fredenberg at edfreden@graceland.edu.

Homecoming 2007 is September 28-30. It is not too late to get back to "the Hill" for what promises to be another incredible Homecoming Weekend. It is orchestrated by Graceland's dedicated (and very fun) Director of Alumni Programs, Nancy Wallace, her able assistant Beth Heltenberg and the myriad volunteers who make this the biggest and best weekend of the year. Sometimes last-minute plans can be the best plans!
Event Date: 1/4/2008 8:35 AM