Donor Impact
Advancement Updates Vice President Caroline Hart shares updates from the Office of Advancement “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Henry David Thoreau
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hen I was in college, my mom gave me a framed and matted print of the quote above to hang in my dorm room. To this day, I still have the print, and it has been with me on three different college campuses. Today, it sits on my office window sill in the Alumni House. Day after day, I run into the Alumni House, grab a file and dash out to another meeting. I scan quickly through emails, respond to voicemails, and write notes of thanks to the College’s loyal donors. There is little time for office pranks or simple informal gatherings around the coffee pot, because there are countless projects to implement, ideas to research, and opportunities waiting for attention. Don’t get me wrong, we laugh a lot in the Alumni House, celebrate often, and stop dead in our tracks when a colleague is in need. But the majority of the days, it’s a well-oiled machine full of busy bees, phone conversations, and brainstorming sessions. We are a busy bunch! A couple of weeks ago on a Saturday, I decided to spend some time cleaning my desk. It wasn’t going to get done during the week, and I needed to get organized! As I sorted files, reviewed projects, and added more to my “to do” list, I started taking notice of what had been accomplished – the stack of files representing completed
projects was growing! The more progress I made cleaning, the more I realized Lees-McRae’s progress in the past 12 months. We have reason to celebrate! The stories and images on these pages highlight the College’s accomplishments. This revitalization would not be possible without the trust and generosity of alumni and friends. Together, we are making great things happen for Lees-McRae College. And too, there are some projects and initiatives that are hard to illustrate but worth applauding. I would like to recognize • the establishment of the Family Association, • the successful completion of the first ever Class Agent training day, • the outstanding inaugural year of the President’s Circle (150 members was the goal, and this exclusive recognition society has more than 180 members), and • the completion of more than 15 alumni and friends events in five states! Where was I when all this was being accomplished? I guess I was running to a meeting, checking my email, returning a phone call, or brainstorming the next big project. Maybe I should replace my 17-year-old Thoreau print with a new quote... “Take time to stop and smell the roses.” Many thanks for your continued support,
Statue of Rev. Edgar Tufts dedicated during Founder’s Day Celebrations, Gift from Trustee Murray and Carolyn White Last September’s Founder’s Day was celebrated with a special dedication of a lifesize bronze sculpture of Founder Rev. Edgar Tufts in Swank Park. Commissioned and donated by Trustee Murray White and wife, Carolyn, the sculpture in Swank Park honors the life and legacy of service of Rev. Tufts. Over a hundred years after its founding, LeesMcRae College continues in the vision of Rev. Tufts meeting the educational needs of the Southern Appalachian region and beyond. The College continues to fulfill its motto, in the mountains, of the mountains, and for the mountains, while extending its ministry of education and service to diverse populations. Founder’s Day is celebrated each year with a luncheon on campus in honor of current Lees-McRae College scholarship student recipients and donors to their respective scholarship. It is a wonderful opportunity for students and their scholarship benefactors to meet one another. In 2012, Founder’s Day will become a part 20 | The Pinnacles | Spring/Summer 2012
Thank you! Lees-McRae Fund exceeds goal
Members of the Tufts family are pictured with Trustee Murray White (back left) and President and Mrs. Buxton
of the Homecoming weekend celebration, with a remembrance service and the annual scholarship luncheon taking place on Friday, October 5. Look for Homecoming and Founder’s Day information in the mail later this summer.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, the Lees-McRae Fund exceeded its 2011-2012 goal! The new fiscal year began June 1, 2012. Help us exceed our goal again this year with your donation to the Lees-McRae Fund. Make your gift online at www.go.lmc.edu/ onlinegiving or mail to Office of Advancement, PO Box 128, Banner Elk, NC 28604.