February 2005 Development Newsletter

Article Body: Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now?

It wasn't quite like the cute television commercial when the president of National Public Radio, (Kevin Klose) pictured at right with a KOWI technician, threw the switch on Graceland's new radio station. The signal was loud and clear right on cue. A new era in Southern Iowa Broadcasting history beamed in on February 18th when KOWI officially signed on the air. A mini transmitting antenna atop Zimmermann Hall relays a signal sent to Lamoni from WOI radio at Iowa State in Ames to a traditional radio tower located a dozen miles up Interstate 35. The next time you travel this way tune to 97.9 on your FM radio dial. In the years ahead Graceland will provide local programming and special news reports to the rest of the NPR statewide network. The next Walter Cronkite could get his or her start in Lamoni!

From the airwaves to the hardwood, February not only saw the end of an outstanding season for the Men's Basketball team but also the close of Rich Harrop's coaching career. The Yellowjackets honored Harrop for 15 devoted years before the last home game. In his final campaign Harrop led the Yellow Jackets to an 11-2 home record and a second round berth in the Heart of America Conference postseason tournament. Rich graduated from Graceland in 1965 and his overall coaching career spanned 40 years. A job well done coach!

It pays to pay the price in the classroom. A special Mardi Gras banquet highlighted the February calendar for students who earned a grade point average of at least 3.65. That meant 435 students were honored at a midday reception in The Shaw Center and then later at the banquet where a Dixieland jazz band performed and the best of Cajun cuisine was served.

Major KUDOS to the Graceland Gadets who won the Small Dance category at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Spirit Squad Competition. What's remarkable is that our Gadets beat out schools that award individual scholarships larger then Graceland's entire budget for the program. In this case-less was more.

In this month's Development Donor Spotlight we salute Mrs. Madeline Ballantyne of Lee's Summit, Missouri. Madeline graduated from Graceland in 1932 and later returned to Lamoni to work in the library from 1966-1976. Madeline passed on in December and she and her husband, Dean, will gift at least $35,000 to the Frederick Madison Smith Library earmarked for capital improvements. Graceland's Head Librarian these days is Diane Shelton and she was overwhelmed with news of the donation, "Don't worry, we've got a long list of things long overdue…this wonderful gift has the entire staff smiling."

And maybe this will put a smile on your face. How would you like to make a gift to Graceland and see that donation actually doubled? It's as easy as asking your company if it offers a Matching Gifts program. Some businesses will not only match your gift to higher education but even double the initial amount. Find out if your company does by clicking this link, Matching Gifts for Graceland. If you've changed jobs over the past few years, please let us know with a quick e-mail reply because doing so will help us help you connect with a possible double your money donation.

Thanks for listening you've been great!
Event Date: 2/28/2005 2:25 PM