Alumni Plaza Gift Campaign Nears Completion

HUNTINGTON, IN May 12, 1997 --- A major centennial gift project of the Huntington College Alumni Association is nearing completion, according to Christina K. Smith, director of alumni relations. Hundreds of alumni have purchased engraved bricks to be included in a new Huntington College Alumni Plaza that will be dedicated during the college's centennial homecoming weekend on Saturday, September 20.

"There is great excitement as we anticipate the successful completion of this special alumni centennial gift campaign," says Smith. "The enthusiasm for the Alumni Plaza project has been tremendous!"

"There is still plenty of space for HC alumni to have their names included on an engraved brick in the plaza, but the deadline for orders is quickly approaching," she adds, noting that orders for engraved bricks must be received by June 1, 1997.

The Alumni Association launched its special centennial gift campaign last October with the adoption of the Alumni Plaza project. The plaza will be constructed in front of the college's historic Administration Building this summer. The centerpiece of the plaza will be a large bronze replica of HC's centennial medallion. The plaza will be paved with engraved bricks bearing the names of HC alumni from all decades of the College's history. The Alumni Plaza will provide a meaningful new gathering place for students and alumni to enjoy.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors has established an ambitious fund-raising goal of $100,000 for its alumni centennial gift campaign. A portion of the money raised will be used to underwrite the cost of the plaza. The remaining amount will be given to the College as a special alumni centennial gift in support of the Annual Fund.

As of May 1, $90,000 has been raised toward the $100,000 goal. Smith explains that this money "represents generous alumni support over and above regular alumni giving to the College." She adds, "We are well positioned to reach our $100,000 campaign goal."

To assist in the campaign drive, an engraved brick sale was initiated. Also, the Alumni Office has worked with volunteers to establish an alumni centennial gift campaign committee to promote the project and secure major leadership gifts for it. "Our alumni volunteer efforts have been instrumental in the success of this campaign," says Smith. "All of our campaign volunteers generously have donated their time to make this fund drive a success. Many have given sacrificially to help us make this gift a reality."

As the campaign fund drive nears an end, all HC alumni (both graduates and non-graduates with at least 12 credit hours) are invited to support this centennial project by purchasing an engraved brick. Graduates' bricks will include name and class year. Alumni non-graduates and current students will have their name inscribed only. All bricks will be arranged according to class year. Due to lettering constraints, only one name per brick is allowed. The cost of an engraved brick is $100, but contributions of all sizes are welcome.

Bricks may also be purchased in honor or memory of Huntington College alumni -- including classmates, parents, pastors, teachers or friends. "Our desire is that alumni from every class year in the College's 100 year history would be represented in the plaza," says Dane Starbuck, alumni association president. During the dedication ceremony on September 20, special awards will be presented to the classes with the greatest number of participants and the greatest overall percentage of participation.

The June 1, 1997 deadline for brick purchases is quickly approaching. To reserve an Alumni Plaza brick, send the names and class years of each alumnus on a separate sheet with a check made payable to Huntington College by June 1. Orders should be sent to: Alumni Centennial Gift Project, Office of Alumni Relations, Huntington College, Huntington, IN 46750. For further information, contact the Alumni Office at (260) 359-4097.