Goshen College receives financial boost from 2002-03 giving

GOSHEN, Ind. Donors to Goshen College continue to value the education and mission of the school, giving the college a financial boost during the 2002-03 fiscal year.

Goshen College received $1,968,601 towards the GC Fund, the second-highest amount in the school’s history and the highest in the last decade: in 1992-93, $2,011,510 was given. Gifts to the GC Fund directly support an annual operating fund that includes more than $3 million in student financial aid assistance.

When students came calling this year, alumni, parents and friends of the college responded at a record level during the annual phonathon, giving $339,685, according to Andrea Cook, vice president for institutional advancement. The previous high was $302,920 in 1998-99.

Alumni giving was up for the 2002-03 year by over $50,000 and parent giving was up this year over last, $189,483 over $127,260, said Cook.

The school’s board of directors gave $291,918 Î the highest annual amount yet given by the board, said Cook.

Reflecting national philanthropic trends, giving from friends and businesses was down, as was church giving Î down by 30 percent, highlighting the struggles that many churches are facing in a difficult economic year.

Outstanding contributions overall to Goshen College in 2002-03 were enhanced by the state-wide Strengthening Philanthropy Initiative from Lilly Endowment Inc. The Endowment matched donors’ investments in GC up to $3.5 million, and the opportunity to continue this program will continue until December 2003.

“Lilly Endowment Inc. has given Goshen College another boost in quality through these matching grants,” said President Shirley H. Showalter. “Their goal was to stimulate more giving Î new donors and larger gifts from regular donors. We are happy to say that that goal was met.”

Renovations are underway for all residence halls on campus, to be completed over the next year and a half; up to $2 million of the $3.5 million Lilly Endowment Inc. matching grant will be used to build a connector between Kratz, Miller and Yoder Halls, providing common program and living areas while maintaining bed space. The matching grant will also be put towards faculty development and strategic planning.

“Last year we challenged our alumni to help us achieve a dramatic turnaround from budget difficulties we faced then,” said Showalter. “We asked them to pray, to give and to connect. They did all three. We celebrate God’s graciousness and their generosity.”

Goshen College is a national liberal arts college known for leadership in international education, service-learning and peace and justice issues in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program and exceptional educational value, GC serves about 1,000 students in both traditional and nontraditional programs. The college earned citations of excellence in U.S.News & World Report and Barron’s Best Buys in Higher Education. For more information, visit www.goshen.edu.

Editors: For information, contact Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.