It's The Season of Giving

There is something special about this time of year on the Wabash campus.  Students are preparing for final exams and writing and rewriting their final papers, the leaves are gone from the arboretum trees, and the chapel carillon rings a holiday tune every six hours.  Indeed, the end of the year and the season of giving is upon us.

It is at this time of year we take a moment to look back at the last year and also to think about how fortunate we are at Wabash College.

Most importantly we look back and see the wonderful things the recent Campaign for Leadership did to transform the campus and the learning experience for students and faculty. When we celebrated the conclusion of the Campaign in October we realized just how much we were able to accomplish in the last six years. From the Allen Athletics and Recreation Center to immersion learning trips, Wabash students learn and live in state-of-the-art facilities and are able to translate what they experience on campus with a broader understanding of the world as they travel abroad. 

What is really significant about this time of year is that we realize that it is Wabash students who benefit so much during this ‘Season of Giving.’ Gifts to the Annual Fund by alumni, friends, parents, faculty, and staff have a significant impact on Wabash students and their experience. In fact, over 60 percent of those who give in support of Wabash students give to the College’s Annual Fund by December 31^st.  This annual support allows Wabash to sustain a traditional liberal arts education while also providing the most innovative opportunities for students. 

Since 1832 Wabash has remained committed to educating men to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely. We have done so mainly as a result of alumni and friends, who during this season of giving remember Wabash men and make a gift to the College.

To date over 1,300 Wabash alumni and friends have made a contribution to the College. For those who are still in the process of making their annual contribution, here are a few pointers:

1. While the College’s fiscal year runs through June 30, 2005, a majority of donors make their gifts by December 31^st. Alumni and friends can make their gifts online or by phone at 877-743-4545.
2. If alumni and friends are Indiana residents they can take advantage of the Indiana tax credit where the state will credit up to 50 percent of their gift to Wabash against their state income taxes.  Others might be able to take advantage of additional state and federal tax benefits.
3. Indiana residents who make a gift of $25 or more to the Annual Fund are also eligible to take advantage of the College’s license plate program and help "Spread the fame of her honored name…"
4. Those alumni and friends who make a gift to the College might be able to double or triple the value of their gift if their employer offers a matching gift program.  Visit www.wabash.edu/alumni/matching to search for companies with matching gift programs.

Wabash men have given of their time and talent during this past year.  From building a house for Habitat for Humanity to running to Indianapolis for the "Relay for Riley" and from blood drives to food drives, Wabash men know that ‘living humanely’ has a lot to do with giving back to others.  We hope you will consider giving to them by making a gift to the Annual Fund.

Joe Klen is Wabash College's Director of Annual Giving.