Don't think for one minute that here at Graceland we have fallen away from the tried and true principles of teaching respect and honor for staff and faculty...but sometimes you just have to live a little. Hello and welcome back to another stellar edition of the Development Office Newsletter. We begin with the spectacle that was just a few weeks ago in the Memorial Student Center. Students were invited to empty their pockets for the right to toss a pie in the face of a favorite mentor or two. The pie toss alone raised $750! It's all part of the ongoing Million Penny Challenge. Graceland students and faculty hope to raise $10,000 to provide cases of medical supplies to be taken to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Community of Christ President Steve Veazey. For those of you keeping score Professor Brian White caught six pies to the face...hauling in honors for the "most smeared contestant." You can get a tasty but sticky look at the fun by clicking on Million Penny Pie gallery.
I think it's safe to say that things were a bit more dignified at The Shaw Center for the Performing Arts in March. Internationally renowned Eastern European Dance Company, FRULA, brought an exciting piece of Balkan cultural heritage to the Graceland campus. What a show! FRULA has given more than 7,000 performances in its 40-year history, all over the world, including concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Feel like you were here by clicking on the FRULA at Graceland gallery. Professor Jack Ergo, chair of the Performing Arts Committee, said, "We look for groups that stretch the experience of our students and the residents of southern Iowa and northern Missouri."
Now that we have your mind focused on cultural enlightenment, anyone up for a trip to Ireland? Graceland's Alumni Association has put together another wonderful trip...this time to the Emerald Isle. Bottom line tidbits on the trip: four nights first-class accommodations in Galway and three nights in Killarney. We are planning departure opportunities from St. Louis and Kansas City with other possibilities upon request. Check your calendars and see if you and a significant other can get away September 8-16, 2006. To get all of the trip details please visit our Alumni web page and click on the Ireland Trip. A single ticket for this venture is going for $1,799...that's a bargain for the chance to reacquaint with Graceland friends as an additional perk.
The trip to Ireland happens just a few weeks before Homecoming 2006. You need to know that this year's annual Graceland celebration takes place September 29, 30 and October 1. Congratulations to our theme contest winners. Danise Remmenga and Bev Kennedy brainstormed this year's slogan...Jacket Fever-Catch the Buzz! You may remember this dynamic duo teamed up last year to produce the winning Homecoming theme.
Homecoming is always the perfect time to pick up your favorite stuff from the Graceland bookstore...but did you know you can buy straight from your home by going online to efollett.com? All you have to do is follow the easy instructions at this web location and the adding to your Graceland wardrobe is on!
From the Graceland University Sports Beat...our top story...a changing of the guard for the Women's Varsity Basketball team. Opie Butler has been named to take over. Butler first coached this program back in 1997-99. All he did was lead the program to a 15 win season in his second year. Butler is a solid recruiter who actually lured GU's first ever women's basketball All-American to southern Iowa a few years ago. Read more about Coach Butler and his new team at our Women's Basketball web page.
We are heading down the home stretch for the 2005-06 academic year and the month of March once again presented the chance to thank the highly dedicated faculty and staff. The annual employee recognition banquet went off without a hitch. We've grabbed some great pictures from the evening and you can see them by clicking on Employee Banquet gallery. The highlight of the years of service presentations was Professor Bill Russell, celebrating his 40th year enlightening and challenging students on the Lamoni campus. Bill says he has only just begun.
Now it is time to honor recent gifts to Graceland. This month's Investor Spotlight shines with much affection on David Neal '68 and Jim Neal '74. They've decided to honor their parents on two different fronts. Harold Neal directed orchestra, band and chapel choir at Graceland back in the mid 50's into the early 60's...he also chaired the music and fine arts departments. David has pledged $7,000 to complete a naming opportunity for his father in The Shaw Center. David has also teamed up with second cousin, Joan Drysdale, to add to the "Marnie Neal Children's Literature Library" to purchase new books. Jim Neal saw to it that his father's vintage Stradivarius violin would be on permanent loan to the Graceland music department. It will be used by the orchestra's number one chair. Said Jim, "It's all about my family's sincere reverence for higher education and its perpetuation." Graceland is deeply honored.
In our Estate Planning Tip of the Month...Life Insurance. What a great way to make an awesome gift to Graceland. You can give a paid up policy or purchase a new one. When you make GU the owner and beneficiary your premiums are tax deductible...and when you give a paid up policy or a policy you have been paying on for several years, you may take a tax deduction for the cash value of the policy. Many of us simply do not have the excess cash to give to a favorite charity in our retirement years...but making a monthly nominal premium is quite another story. Imagine the rush reading your name in Horizons, listed under the $100,000-$500,000 gift category? Please get a hold of our Director of Development, Todd Sturgis, at tsturgis@graceland.edu. Todd can explore so many options...so many opportunities with you...he's very nice on the phone too.
The Graceland Forever Capital Campaign Phase II continues onward and upward. We have surpassed the $11 million mark with a target goal of $27 million by 2009. Please remember that if you want credit for a gift to the University in our 2005-2006 fiscal year, you must get it to us by May 31 before the new 2006-2007 year begins. You can do that right now by clicking on Make a Gift Today.
Until next month...Graceland Forever...Hail Alma-Mater!
