September 2005 Development Newsletter

Article Body: September was packed with lots of great stuff and yet the biggest event of the year is upon us.

Viva Graceland is our 2005 Homecoming theme and all of the fun starts Friday, October 14. We want to drive home the point...that if you think it's too late to make plans to come...then think again. Sure...the Lamoni hotels are booked up but you can still settle in nicely in Osceola, Eagleville or Bethany. This year's homecoming brochure is spectacular...it has all you need to know about the who...what...when and where for the 3 day party. Please click here to study it online.

Ok...since we actually "had you at hello" and you're coming...please plan to spend at least $5 for a spiffy blue and gold wrist band. Students are selling them to raise money for a campus improvement project. And speaking of projects, wait until you see what the students have done to the quaint little garden attached to the Memorial Student Center. Our resident green thumbs have cleared out the excess shrubbery and are adding covered picnic tables. "I'll take that Swarm Inn burger to go...outside...please."

I'd like to rewind and brag about the awesome turnout for the 3rd annual Jazz on the Bricks bash at the Independence campus in early September. The burgers, dogs and other goodies hit the spot. The weather was great, The Jazz Daddies + 1 band simply marvelous, and the Graceland trivia not too terribly tough this time around. We also gave a warm welcome to newly transplanted Louisiana hurricane kids.

Let's talk about hurricane Katrina...just long enough to tell you that Graceland University is proud to be a part of more than 200 colleges and universities in the United States who, under the umbrella of the Sloan Foundation, will offer free continuing education course work to students in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. We are also beaming with pride over the involvement of Graceland graduates who were directly involved in resettling efforts. Take that Katrina!

I'm starting to sound like a broken record here...bragging about the new things to see when you come for homecoming...remember you are coming right? As you chow down at the Floyd McDowell Commons, make sure you look to the heavens and gaze at the colorful banner scheme. After 6 years with the old theme, it was time for a change...right students?

But before you end up at Floyd's, head from the Swarm Inn into the MSC main room and then up onto the mezzanine where the student run KBUZ radio station is based. Can you believe it? Last year we welcomed the addition of National Public Radio programmed KOWI and now a computer accessed station is up and running. Graceland alum, Tom Thatcher, has also constructed a modest FM antenna that allows folks around campus to listen in on the radio at FM 88.1. Right after you close this e-mail try listening to The Buzz over the internet with your computer at radio.graceland.edu . I’ve also snapped some shots of our young broadcasters in action. Casey Kasem look out.

This month's Donor Spotlight is on three Graceland backers who have seen fit to set up endowed scholarships. Mark Wildermuth of Boston, Class of 77, has established a scholarship for Asian students majoring in computer science. Marjorie Belville of Logan, Ohio wants to help Community of Christ students make it to Lamoni. And we also salute the Marshall and Virginia Funkhouser Endowed scholarship created by Virginia now living in Alexandria, Virginia. Just so you'll know Graceland gives investors 3 years to gift a minimum of $10,000 to start an endowment. Funds like these never go away...they live forever! Best of all the students who receive the scholarships send out personal thank you notes along with a color photo for that warm, personal touch.

Todd Sturgis is our Director of Development and in his Tip of the Month he says that deciding to leave a gift for Graceland at your passing does not mean you have to tear up your will and start over. There are several ways to enhance your will and living trust that are simple and quite painless. Please contact Ed at edfreden@graceland.edu and he will walk you thru the necessary language that you in turn can take to your attorney. Many of you tell us that you want to do more than a monthly and annual gift.

Next month we'll tell you all about the Graceland Forever Science and Tech Center extravaganza happening at Ophelia's restaurant in Independence on October 8. Remember you can make your gift today!

That better be it for now...thanks for listening...as always you've been great...Did I mention the brand new Graceland web-page? Please check it out...We think you'll be impressed.
Event Date: 9/30/2005 2:05 PM