August 2007 Development Newsletter

Article Body: Fall semester is just around the corner. Our football team arrived on campus last Friday and all other fall athletes arrived Saturday. The football players helped everyone move in and made a big job (in the searing heat) go quickly. It is in the 90s and humid in Lamoni these Dog Days of August, but crisp, cool days and falling leaves are just around the corner - and that means Homecoming.

Homecoming 2007 is September 28-30. Don't forget to mark these dates on your calendar. This year's Homecoming promises to live up to its theme - The Hive is Alive. Our gridiron greats do battle with Baker University at 2 p.m. on our new turf surface, but there will be non-stop activities all weekend. Preview the schedule at Graceland Homecoming 2007.

A tribute to Arvene Petz Edwards. We hope you will take a minute to read Barbara Peavy '49 Howard's lovely tribute about the Disorganized '49ers - Tribute to Arvene - and the Music Endowment Scholarship this 1999 Honor Class group has set up to honor one of their members who has passed away. It is a story you won't forget, and it may inspire you (and your classmates) to stay in closer touch as the years go by. (Pictured: Arvene and Jim Edwards)

New Roof for The Shaw Center. No one has suffered through the extreme heat more than the gallant crew members installing the new roof on The Shaw Center for the Performing Arts. A big thanks to the Shaw family for funding the project and a standing ovation to the guys up there in the sun and heat doing the work – Shaw Roof in Progress.

The Yellowjacket Golf Event pays off. The Yellowjacket Club had another great golf outing last Spring in Arizona and raised $16,342.56 to help renovate (work still in progress) the soccer team locker room used by the men and women. (Home openers are August 31^st for both teams.) Funds raised at the first two Yellowjacket golf events helped renovate the men's and women's basketball locker rooms. Twenty alumni played this year in a new Ryder Cup-style, two-team format. A great time was had by all. For information about the Spring 2008 event, email Senior Development Officer (and great golfer) Todd Sturgis - tsturgis@graceland.edu.

SPECTACULAR was Spectacular again. Another SPEC has come and gone (July 21-28) and for 1,000 high school-age campers and adult staff the magical event – the theme this year was What If - offered worship, sports, new friendships, performing arts, great fun at every turn and the chance to bond together in love and common purpose. Many young people discover Graceland during SPEC and become our students of the future. To view photos and learn about SPEC, visit www.CofChrist.org/spec.

Jazz on the Bricks. Don't forget the Independence campus mini-Homecoming, Jazz on the Bricks, set for Friday, September 7^th, at our beautiful campus on West Truman Road in Independence. It is always a wonderful time, with great jazz, good food, and a chance to connect with Graceland friends. Call 800-645-3582 for reservations.

Estate Planning Tip of the Month. In 2006, new rules were enacted that give individuals at least 70½ years old the ability to gift an amount up to $100,000 from their IRA to a charity without incurring a tax penalty. Unless made permanent, these rules are effective until December 31, 2007. This gift must be made directly from the IRA custodian to Graceland University, rather than withdrawing the amount yourself and mailing a check. To learn more email Ed Fredenberg at edfreden@graceland.edu or call him at 1-800-645-3582. You are not obligated in any way by requesting this information.

Exciting Homecoming Alumni College! One last word about Homecoming. Try to be here early this year, on Friday the 28^th, so you can experience the 3-5 p.m. Alumni College presentations by Professor Priscilla Eppinger (photos, music and description of her Fulbright-Hays-sponsored trip this summer to Poland and Russia) and Malcolm Ritchie '47, who will talk about the life and work of his close friend of 40 years and Graceland Legend, Roy Cheville.

See you at Homecoming 2007!
Event Date: 8/31/2007 8:45 AM