The dog days of summer might mean a slow down at some places, but in Lamoni and Graceland University, not quite! Hello and welcome to yet another edition of the Development Office newsletter. Last month we sang the praises of our newly crowned National Champion SIFE team, (that's Students in Free Enterprise). Now we bring you news of an exciting new venture in Lamoni that owes at least part of its birthing to the brainstorming of our SIFE squad. Iowa is leading the charge in our country's quest to explore and establish new forms of renewable energy. Two weeks ago Graceland hosted the Southern Iowa Bioenergy (SIBE) kickoff party and that group's equity drive to build a 30 million gallon continuous flow biodiesel plant on the outskirts of town. This project will mean jobs and a tremendous economic boost to not only Lamoni but also southern Iowa. Former Graceland President Bill Higdon is Chairman of SIBE. You can check out some of the pictures we took at the kickoff by clicking on SIBE kickoff. Potential investors may also like to view the project's Web site at www.SIBEbiodiesel.com.
Every summer the beautiful Graceland campus serves as the backdrop for many great camps, and one of the more prestigious is the annual HOBY gathering. HOBY stands for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar and for the 7th consecutive year it brought many of Iowa's best high school sophomores to Lamoni. This year's contingent was actually some 140 kids strong. This is not your ordinary summer camp. Please read all about it from the University's News Web site then click on "Get Out of the Way When HOBY Comes to Town." Obviously, this is also a great way for Graceland to recruit the best and brightest from around the state.
The late great actor Jimmy Stewart has nothing on Graceland President Ambassador John Menzies. "The Pres" will be heading back to our nation's capital this month for the formal announcement of his chairing a newly created U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy Committee. This group will promote best practices in the way Americans interact both at home and abroad with people from other countries. Do us proud, Mr. President!
This next story should get your attention. Graceland has hired a new Sports Information Director and his name is Bond. Michael Bond Michael has 19 years experience in the field and is leaving California State University to showcase his skills in Lamoni. Mr. Bond has to be thrilled with the chance to do his thing here at Graceland where the sports programs are coming off arguably the most successful school year in University history. Find out what we are talking about by visiting the GU Athletics Web site.
In our Investor Spotlight segment this month, we give a well deserved round of applause to Scott Sinclair of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Scott's wife, Cheryl Hansen, is a member of the Graceland Board of Trustees and she recently celebrated another birthday. Much to her surprise, Scott presented her with a newly established endowed music scholarship at Graceland, honoring Cheryl's mother, Wanda. Scott has made an initial payment of $3,000. Just so you'll know, Graceland invites alumni and friends to set up scholarships like this for a minimum of $10,000 with three years to reach the minimum. The really neat thing is that when the scholarship money is awarded from this fund Cheryl and Scott will get a thank you note and photograph from the student or students receiving their gift. The Wanda Hansen Endowed Music Scholarship...now that has a great ring to it.
Speaking of naming something...wouldn't you like to see your name in bright lights...or honor someone in your family's history within the new Science and Technology Center? To see what's still available and for how much, please review the Science and Technology Center page on the Graceland Web site. This project will cost Graceland $17 million to complete and we need everyone on board to make it happen. If you have not yet made a 5 year pledge, please contact me, or another Development field officer, ASAP. Our office's main number is toll free: 800-645-3582. To make giving to this project even easier, we can take a credit card gift over the phone.
It's time to pass along yet another Estate Planning Tip of the Month. Perhaps you didn't know that the middle of the year is a good time to check up on your contributions to tax-deferred retirement plans. Make sure you are getting the maximum tax deferral from a 401K or other employer-sponsored plan. If you have excess discretionary income you'd like to apply towards your retirement, but you've maximized the limits of your other plans, there's another option. Why not learn about a plan that gives you an immediate charitable income tax deduction and provides you control and flexibility in stipulating when income payments begin? For your FREE no obligation illustration, e-mail tsturgis@graceland.edu or call Todd Sturgis at 1-800-645-3582.
Please remember that all Graceland alumni have the opportunity to check up on former classmates by using the Alumni and Friends link on Graceland Web site home page. Here, let's make it easy for you to set up your personal username and password; click on Staying Connected, pick Alumni Directory and just follow the prompts. Special Note: Class of 1991 grads are encouraged to keep in touch with classmates by clicking on Class of 1991 News and Notes. This is a pilot project that the Alumni Board hopes will expand to other class years.
Before I call it a wrap, please mark your calendar for Friday, September 8. Get ready for another great time with Jazz on the Bricks. This family event is a real blast every year and it happens only at the Independence campus. Look for more info in next month's newsletter.
Until then, adios, and of course...GO-O-O-O-O GRACELAND!
