December 2006 Development Newsletter

Article Body: The good times just keep rolling along at Graceland University. Just when we thought it was time to quit thumping our chest, we won yet another National Championship to boast about. That's right; the Men's Varsity Soccer team under the direction of Head Coach Ivan Joseph won the NAIA national title a few weeks ago in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Yellowjackets outlasted Azusa Pacific 7-6 in a double-overtime, nail-biting shootout. This is only the University's fourth overall National NAIA title and the first since Rod Schall led the men's Volleyball program to a championship in 1979. Click on the photo to the right to see pictures of the celebration party we threw for the team in the Memorial Student Center. You can also read the entire news story of the soccer team's run to the title in our News Headlines or see more photos of their trip in the Athletic Web page. Our student-athletes had another banner fall season between the white lines and also in the classroom. Please read all about it at Graceland Sports Teams Rock!

Graceland's National Champion SIFE team (that's Students in Free Enterprise) is still basking in the limelight. We're getting reports from all over the country of the appearance of Kellogg's Cornflakes special SIFE edition appearing on Wal-Mart shelves. Next month, we want to do something fun in this Development Office Newsletter by featuring pictures of alumni hoisting the Flakes. All you have to do is take a digital picture of you and your friends holding a box of the breakfast cereal, e-mail your snapshot to me, and leave the rest to our snappy technology department. We will include your shots in a gallery on the GU Web site. The fellow on the right in the striped shirt is Graceland alumnus Jerry Riegle, presenting a box to Mesquite, Nevada Mayor Bill Nicholes at a recent City Council meeting. Jerry's twin grandkids, Mike and Katie, are on the SIFE team. Mr. Riegle is also donating about 50 boxes to Graceland on his next visit to campus. Somebody please pass the milk.

From milk to greenbacks, how would you like to help Graceland land a free $2 million dollars? Let me explain. The Graceland Forever Capital Campaign is well on its way to reaching its $27 million dollar goal by 2009. We're excited to announce that an anonymous donor has offered a Challenge Grant of up to $2 million dollars. The challenge is for Graceland's alumni and friends to raise $4 million in cash by May 31, 2007 for the Science and Technology Center. You read me right! For every $2 you invest in the project, Graceland will receive $1 from the Challenge Grant, up to $2 million. Even though Graceland will be closed from noon on December 22 through January 1, all gifts postmarked in December or made online in December will be receipted as a gift for 2006. Gifts restricted to the Science & Tech project will qualify for the Challenge Match through May 31, 2007.

And one great piece of campaign news leads to another. In our Investor Spotlight, hats off to Bud and Sue Edwards of Solomons, Maryland. They want to help Graceland take full advantage of this historic matching grant by gifting $110,000 from the estate of Bertram L. Lewis. Bertram was Sue's father and was a longtime physics and science teacher who got his start at Graceland College in the 1920's. With this gift, the Edwards have secured naming rights for the Physics Lab and Physics storage rooms. How wonderful, how gracious, how giving!

Let's do a couple of short takes from campus life. The theatre department really outdid itself with the presentation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Two morning matinees meant over 1,000 public school students were able to take in the show. The costumes were simply out of this world. Don't believe me? Then see for yourself by clicking on the photo to the right. Or, to see what's remaining for the season, click here.

Somewhere in scripture it says something about "making a joyful noise." Faculty and staff did just that this week with the 23^rd annual Caroling and Cakes program. Morgue hours (quite time for finals) were in effect through the residence halls with students making ready for finals, but that didn't stop us from giving them a bit of a break. We actually sounded pretty darn good and the evening was capped off with pancakes for everyone at the Floyd McDowell Commons. Just click on the photo of Kelly Everett and you will get a better feel for what has become a wonderful annual Holiday event.

Kodak moments were all over the place during this year's always popular International Night. Please park your mouse on the picture to the right and see what all of the fuss was about. This event gets better and more colorful each and every year. Students also learn a lot about the dance, food and customs of other cultures. Isn't that a big part of the legendary "Graceland Experience?"

Augusta, Georgia, has the Masters and the Green Jacket but Graceland duffers now have a shot at "The Yellowjacket" every year. Please make plans to play in the third annual Graceland Golf Getaway in Wickenburg, Arizona, in April. You may email Todd Sturgis or click here to get the inside scoop on costs, dates and other particulars. Is a Yellowjacket really up for grabs? Stay tuned!

This last piece of news should help some of you sleep better tonight. Our Estate Planning Tip of the Month: New Law Provides Incentive for Charitable Distributions of IRA assets. For those 70 ½ and older, the new IRA rollover allows your plan administrator to make a distribution to Graceland on your behalf, tax free. Gifts may be designated towards a specific department, program or scholarship fund, should you wish. Distributions designated for the science building or equipment qualifies for the matching Challenge Grant if received by May 31, 2007. For more information contact Todd Sturgis at tsturgis@graceland.edu.

From all of us at Graceland University, Merry Christmas and most certainly a Happy New Year!
Event Date: 12/31/2006 10:10 AM