November 2006

Jewell Fund Exceeds Goal
By Nelson C. Kanning '00
Director of the Jewell Fund

Last year was a remarkable example of the philanthropic character of Jewell's alumni and friends. Please do not misunderstand - for well over 150 years Jewell has been fortunate to have the charitable support from alumni and friends. However, last year was a record year for alumni contributions to the Jewell Fund.

The giving spirit of over 2,700 donors (21% of the alumni community) exceeded the College's

2006 Jewell Fund Campaign goal by contributing more than $1.4 million in unrestricted funding to the College. So why is that such a significant accomplishment? Considering in the previous year donors contributed $850,000 to the Jewell Fund, a 66% increase in giving is definitely a warranted reason to celebrate.

Imagine what Jewell could do when 30%, 40% or even 50% of the alumni community choose to support each year’s Jewell Fund Campaign? With that additional support each student could have a Mocha Latte, from the Union’s new coffee shop, "The Perch", every morning on their way to class. (OK, a nice cup of Joe is not the best way to give students the most beneficial education, but we’re excited to have the new coffee shop.) What about providing every incoming student their own laptop computer? Or giving an additional ten percent of the incoming class the opportunity to be awarded fully funded scholarships?

It is great to imagine what the future could become. Because of the charitable spirit of last year’s donors and the success of the Jewell Fund Campaign, Jewell can begin to imagine more freely. Give because you believe. Give because it is meaningful. With a Jewell Fund goal for 2006-07 of $1.4 million, I urge you to help us increase our alumni giving percentage to 25% and be one of this year’s 3,300 donors necessary to reach William Jewell’s financial goal.

As a reminder, for contributing at least $1,000 as a one-time gift or through a series of gifts to the Jewell Fund in the current fiscal year, you become a member of the Circle of 1849 leadership giving society. All members of the Circle of 1849 will receive invitations to special events for Circle members. First-time members will receive an engraved brick installed on the Quad and a membership pin. Named for the year of the College’s founding, the Circle of 1849 is the College’s premier annual giving society. Currently, there are over 204 inaugural members of the Circle of 1849.

Listed below are names of the alumni, friends, parents, faculty, and staff who contributed to the Jewell Fund between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006.