Dear Sewanee Family,
Though Jan. 1 is several months away, it feels appropriate to say happy New Year! Our seminarians kicked off the 2024-2025 academic year on Tuesday, and undergraduate students returned to the classroom yesterday. If you’re currently teaching or learning here, I hope this week goes smoothly and that you can catch a quiet moment to soak in the sunshine or finish your beach read.
It’s also a new fiscal year at the University, and we’re off to a strong start! As you’ll see in the infographic below, our Sewanee family showed amazing generosity in Fiscal Year 2024. My sincere thanks to the 8,196 members of our community who provided support for University programs and activities between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. I’m also raising a New Year’s toast to our Sewanee Fund award recipients, who truly went above and beyond in elevating the Sewanee experience!
Cheers, too, to the newest members of our University Relations team! In July, we welcomed Sarah Minge King, C'08, as an advancement officer who will work with Sewanee alumni, parents, and friends in the Greater Atlanta area. Next month, we'll be joined by two new Sewanee Fund assistant directors: Sarah Gray, C'22, and Lizzie Chamberlin, C'23. I hope you have the opportunity to meet and share Sewanee stories with Sarah K., Sarah G., and Lizzie!
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In University Relations, we take our summer travel seriously—over the past two months, we’ve hosted 18 Sewanee Club events and summer send-offs across the South. If you were able to attend one of these gatherings, I hope you had a great time! You can find photos from our receptions on our Sewanee Parents and Sewanee Alumni Facebook pages.
Speaking of events, registration is now open for Family Weekend, which will be held from Sept. 27-29. Homecoming and Reunion Weekend also isn’t far off—we’re looking forward to welcoming College alumni back to the Mountain from Nov. 1-3. Our alumni from class years ending in 4 and 9 have a special celebration ahead! In this issue of Philanthropy and Engagement, we highlight Bill McElveen, C’72, P’10, who helped guide the Class of 1972 in raising significant funds for Sewanee during its 50th reunion year. You may remember our past story about the Class of 1967's exceptional reunion giving. A reunion year is the perfect occasion for paying it forward to current and future students.
Traditions are big at Sewanee—and they’re a huge part of any new year celebration, too! You might not be listening to “Auld Lang Syne” or eating black-eyed peas this week, but please consider honoring this New Year by visiting support.sewanee.edu and setting up a recurring gift or contributing to the Sewanee program that matters most to you. I appreciate all the ways you strengthen our community!
With thanks and best wishes,
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Vice President for University Relations |
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Bill McElveen, C'72, P'10, Raises the Bar for 50th Reunion Giving
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If you ever listened to or worked at WUTS-FM, the University’s radio station from 1972 to 2020, then you know Bill McElveen, C’72, P’10—indirectly, anyway. McElveen founded the station as an undergraduate, after gaining permission form Vice-Chancellor Edward McCrady and raising significant funds for radio equipment. Decades later, McElveen is an established radio executive who holds a place in the South Carolina Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He has transferred his fundraising skills to other projects, including securing approximately $275,000 for an endowed scholarship as chair of the Class of 1972’s 50th reunion committee.
Reunion-year giving is a longstanding Sewanee tradition, and alumni are encouraged to consider increasing their support incrementally from the 5th through the 45th celebration. Since 2000, Sewanee has honored 50th reunion classes with a series of exciting events, and class members are urged to explore multiple pathways for giving, such as multi-year pledges, stock gifts, charitable gift annuities, and IRA distributions.
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Bill McElveen, C'72, P'10
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Philanthropy in Action
Sewanee Alumni and Friends Support the University Through Impactful Gifts
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School of Theology Hamilton Hall Renovations
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The Rev. Lou Tucker Parsons, C'77, T'02
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“I was raised to believe that from whom much is given, much is expected."
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Sewanee Athletics Turf Initiative
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Alice and Lee Spencer, P'12
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"Our schools are part of the fabric of our lives and always will be."
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“[Sewanee graduates] excel because they learn how to think. They learn how to learn. They're open to new ideas, versus being in a box or having blinders."
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Congratulations to the 2024 Sewanee Fund Award Winners! |
Drumroll, please! We're thrilled to announce our Sewanee Fund Award winners, who excelled in raising support for Sewanee during the past fiscal year.
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Presented to the class with the highest increases in giving and participation within a given fiscal year (excluding Exornati)
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CLASS OF 1976: Michelle Harvey, Chair
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Increases of $122,548 and 6% participation
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Presented to the non-reunion class with the highest giving participation (excluding Exornati)
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CLASS OF 1978: Henry Hine and Jeanne Rast, Chairs
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Presented to the young alumni class achieving the highest giving participation
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CLASS OF 2007: Emorie Broemel, Chair
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Presented to the Exornati class achieving the highest increase in giving participation
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Class of 1965: Jerry Adams, Chair
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7% participation increase
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Enhanced security lighting on the Quad is one addition enabled by a grant from the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration.
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| State of Tennessee Grant Enables New Campus Safety Features |
Earlier this year, Sewanee received a $227,665 grant from the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration that will enable the addition of multiple campus safety features. Installation started over the summer and will continue through the fall semester. New equipment includes emergency sirens for three locations (Hardee-McGee Field, the intersection of University and Tennessee Avenues, and the intersection of Louisiana Circle and Green’s View); surveillance cameras to be placed inside sections of Jessie Ball duPont Library that are open 24/7; security lighting for the Quad; access card readers for three theme houses; and speed bumps for five locations.
Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management Robert Benton, who is overseeing the installation process, says the new features have vital benefits. “Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, as well as the families who call the Domain home. This grant is a major step forward in creating the best possible Sewanee experience for everyone who spends any amount of time here.”
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The University of the South • Office of University Relations • waystogive.sewanee.edu
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