Published: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 3:03 PM CDT
Courtesy McPherson Sentinel's Sentinet

LINDSBORG - For the second time in the college's history, Bethany College has received more than $1 million in unrestricted annual-fund gifts for the fiscal year.

The pre-audit total for the 2006-2007 unrestricted annual fund is $1,002,538.

Bethany's fiscal year ended June 30.

“This is a credit to all of Bethany's generous alumni and friends. It speaks to their commitment to the next generation and their belief in Bethany College,” said Dr. Robert Vogel.

Vogel currently is serving as Bethany's interim president. Edward F. Leonard III will begin as the 13th president of Bethany College Aug. 1.

“There was a clear surge in giving after Ed Leonard was introduced as president-elect. Reaching our million-dollar goal is a vote of confidence in him and the selection process,” Vogel said.

Total giving to Bethany for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, including unrestricted and restricted annual-fund gifts, gifts to the endowment, undesignated estate gifts, and private scholarships, totaled $2.08 million.

Giving to the restricted annual fund also was strong, with many gifts given in support of Campus Green. Campus Green is an on-going construction project to revitalize the campus landscape, including new entrances, fountains, plantings and parking facilities. Restricted annual-fund giving totaled $321,623.

Two challenges from friends of the college played a significant role in this year's giving.

Several Saline and McPherson County residents challenged locals to increase their giving to the college, offering to match new, renewed and increased gifts up to $40,000. Great Bend physician L.T. Fleske challenged others, offering to match new, renewed and increased gifts from non-local alumni up to $50,000. Final results of the challenges are being tabulated.

“There is no question that our challengers had an impact. Anecdotally and otherwise, the challenges sparked excitement and increased giving to the college,” said Colene Lind, interim vice president for institutional advancement.

“Without these leaders, our impassioned alumni, faithful friends and hard-working staff, as well as strong leadership from our board and presidential search committee, we could not have exceeded our million-dollar goal for the annual fund,” she said.

The Bethany College unrestricted annual fund is used at the discretion of the college to support yearly educational expenses, such as student financial aid, classroom and library resources, and faculty and staff salaries.

“Every dollar given to Bethany makes a difference in the lives of students. We pay particularly close attention to the unrestricted dollars because this is the fund that has the greatest immediate impact,” Lind said.

Restricted annual-fund dollars are used for special budgeted projects.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.