August 2005 Development Newsletter

Article Body: They whistled while they worked…well most of them did anyway. What a way to kick off the Graceland Experience! Our hallowed halls of learning are once again buzzing with excitement and this year's freshman class had an unusual start to their college careers. Orientation included several service projects including the repainting of the big G and the trimming of trees and bushes on the Lamoni bike trail. Another group trekked up to Slip Bluff on the outskirts of town to paint restrooms, tidy up trails, and refurbish playground equipment. The big payoff for the 275 freshmen was an awesome feeling of accomplishment and a tasty barbecue lunch. Only at Graceland!

From the "you should have been there" file, the Yellowjacket football team could be headed for another banner year. Graceland's second ever NAIA-sanctioned Bowl game appearance saw the Jackets defeat the Southern Nazarene University Storm 24-20 in the Wheat Bowl. The game was played in Great Bend, Kansas. GU quarterback Clayton Braddock hauled in the offensive MVP award while cornerback James Thomas like wise for the defense. The last Graceland team to play in a Bowl game was the 1975 squad in the Mineral Water Bowl. This year's homecoming foe will be William Jewell. You’ll love the new ticket-concession stand at the Bruce Jenner Sports Complex.

Did I say "Homecoming?", you betcha I did. We are six weeks away and counting down for the honor classes of '55, '65, '70, '80, '85 and '95. You can get the scoop now on the weekend's entire schedule by clicking here to download the file. This year's Alumni College guest presenters are Dr. Tim Silegy, Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Dr. Roger Launius, Chair of the Division of Space History at the Smithsonian Institute's National Air and Space Museum; and Graceland's nationally ranked Students in Free Enterprise Team that will showcase some of its past and future projects. The price of a homecoming play ticket…$6...admission to the football game $5…the cost of re-connecting with old classmates…Priceless! ¡Viva Graceland!

And we don't need to worry about the cost of the new wheelchair access entry to the Fredrick Madison Smith Library because a generous Graceland investor took care of that as previously mentioned in the July edition of this newsletter. The new high-tech book security system will practically eliminate all unsigned for materials leaving the building and a spiffy new check out desk counter top completes the major facelift.

There are so many ways that alumni and friends can help make Graceland a better place. Todd Sturgis is our Director of Development and in his “tip of the month” says that one of the most overlooked ways for you to make a significant gift is life insurance. A variety of policies can be purchased at a minimum monthly premium with Graceland named as the beneficiary. The inexpensive rates will surprise you. You can also rework and fine tune your existing policies to accomplish the same goal. Contact Todd at tsturgis@graceland.edu and he will give you the complete picture. How great would it feel to leave $100,000 to your alma mater?

This month's “Donor Spotlight” illuminates a clever comment from an anonymous donor who just secured a charitable gift annuity with Graceland to the tune of $100K. Quoting this neat lady; "It ties in well with my personal stewardship philosophy…do your giving while you're living. There's joy in knowing where it's going. Don't wait till you're dead and the will is read.” I couldn't have said it better myself.

Now hear this…The annual fall phonathon starts soon with our team dialing the first batch of numbers on September 18. This is a perfect opportunity to share your “Graceland Experience” with a current student..the next generation.

One last thing and then my time is up…Don't forget "Jazz on the Bricks" at the Independence Campus on Friday September 9. Can't you just smell the barbecue? Please call Pam Combs at 800-645-3582 for tickets or click on combs@graceland.edu

That’s it for now…Go Graceland!
Event Date: 8/30/2005 2:10 PM