Strong WestMOvement Demonstrated in Alumni Generosity and Engagement
The dramatic surge of energy and excitement of the WestMOvement is not only being felt on campus but among our loyal Westminster alumni, and they are demonstrating how good they feel with increased generosity and engagement in the 2018 fiscal year.
The good news begins at the top with a strong financial commitment to the College this past year from the Board of Trustees. 44% of the Westminster Fund total was given by active and emeritus Trustees. In fact, their $4.13 million in total contributions comprised 38% of total gifts from all donors this year.
Chairman of the Board John Panettiere himself issued a personal challenge in February to match all Westminster funds and gifts of $50,000 or more up to the million-dollar level given by April 30, and the challenge was met to gain an additional $2 million for the College.
Alumnus and Board member Kent Mueller ‘62 and his wife Judy made an astounding $4 million gift commitment this year to build a much-needed athletic stadium for the Blue Jay Nation. This initiative is the largest capital improvement project on campus in over a decade.
Total new gifts from all alumni, friends, and donors of $10.27 million represented a whopping 20% increase over last fiscal year. This is a clear indication of the momentum the Blue Jay nation is building since the College has not reached the $10 million level of new gifts since President Lamkin’s first tenure.
The Westminster Fund also surpassed expectations, raising $5.18 million in total support, a full $15% above the goal which had been set.
Alumni event attendance continued to steadily increase with 889 alumni participating in College and Museum events this year, and this increased engagement translated into more gifts to the College. 49% of those who attended an event made a gift of some type this past fiscal year.
The 403-member households of the President’s Club made a strong showing as well. This is actually only the second year in a row that the President’s Club has surpassed the 400-member mark, after a decade of hovering around the 300 level, and their level of commitment matched their level of enthusiasm to be a member. They contributed over $3 million to the Westminster Fund, which represented 95% of all Westminster Fund gifts from living donors this fiscal year and 31% of all Westminster Fund households. President’s Club member total gifts for the year were almost $6.3 million.
The Greek community stepped up to the plate, raising $1.5 million in gifts and commitments during the second annual Greek Challenge, which ran from January through the end of March.
Honored classes at Alumni Weekend also showed their appreciation for the College in new gifts and pledges.
The Class of 1968 contributed $223,383 to the College. 41% of them are members of the President’s Club.
The Class of 1993 presented $109,571 in new gifts and pledges to the College and an impressive 50% of them are members of the President’s Club.
The 10-year Class of 2008 made $6,865 in new gifts and pledges to the Westminster Fund, increasing the amount they gave to the Fund over last year by $4,385. 23% of them are members of the President’s Club.
“It is wonderful to see all this evidence that our alumni are pleased with the direction the College is taking and all the improvements we are making,” said Westminster President Fletch Lamkin. “We all love Westminster College and because of that love, we are constantly working to not just preserve but improve the extraordinary student experience we offer. Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a financially successful year for Westminster.”
