President's Giving Report 5 2014–2015 Young Harris College
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE President’sJULY 1, 2014–JUNE Giving 30, 2015 Report YHC OPENS $41 MILLION Rollins Campus Center YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE ON THE COVER 3 Message from the President Capital Campaign Chair and trustee Pam Rollins 5 A Salute to Young Harris College Donors cut the ceremonial ribbon on the $41 million, 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center. 6 2014–2015 Young Harris College Board of Trustees Several members of the Rollins family attended the special ceremony marking the official 7 2014–2015 Young Harris College Alumni Association Board opening of Young Harris College’s new social and intellectual heart of campus. 2014–2015 Young Harris College Young Alumni Council 8 2014–2015 W. Harry and Harriet Hill Society for Planned Gifts 9 Giving Clubs Contents 10 Artemas Lester Society Dr. T. J. Lance Club Dr. J. A. Sharp Club 11 Chairman’s Club President’s Club 12 Dean’s Club 13 Wesley Club 15 College Club 17 Century Club 20 Patrons Club 26 Friends Club 34 Honor Gifts Memorial Gifts 35 Matching Gift Companies 36 Endowed Century Club 38 Class Scholarship Challenge 41 Mountain Lions Booster Club 45 2015 Clay Dotson Open Sponsors 46 Purple and White Club 48 2014–2015 Friends of the Arts 50 2014–2015 Outside Scholarship Donors 52 2014–2015 Local Scholarship Donors 54 2014–2015 Local Scholarship Student Recipients 56 Giving By Class 65 2015–2016 Young Harris College Profile 66 Young Harris College Capital Campaign 68 Methods of Giving 69 2014–2015 Officers, Deans and Administrators 2014–2015 Budgeted Revenues and Expenditures A publication of the Office of Communications and Marketing at Young Harris College 2014–2015 PRESIDENT’S GIVING REPORT 2 YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE Dear Trustees, Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff and Friends, Those of you who have visited our beautiful campus over the last year have witnessed a truly remarkable transformation. In Fall 2014, Young Harris College welcomed its largest- ever entering class comprised of 507 freshmen, and broke overall enrollment goals for the eighth consecutive year. We continued adding depth to our academic programming, welcomed world-renowned lecturers and performers to campus, and watched another impressive class of graduates walk across the stage at Commencement. There is no question that our success is due to the thousands of loyal and generous alumni, parents, and friends who help us create an extraordinary learning environment through their financial support of the College. This decision to give makes a difference in the lives of current and future members of the YHC community, as your generosity allows us to continue providing the highest quality liberal arts education. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, staff and students, thank you for keeping the YHC experience truly exceptional. It is because of your support that YHC has established itself among the leading colleges in the nation both today and for generations to come. It is my pleasure to share with you highlights from the 2014-2015 year. Cathy Cox, President A SIGNATURE FACILITY On Oct. 1, 2014, Young Harris College officially opened the new $41 million, 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, the largest building ever constructed at the College. Students immediately took note of how the center’s exceptional features enhance the academic and social components of their campus experience. Later in the month, we witnessed another historic day when we held a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the Rollins Campus Center—the culmination of much planning, hard work and dedication by many members of the YHC community. This center would never have come to fruition without the generosity of so many who believed in the College and what we are trying to achieve for our students. A $24 million gift from the Atlanta-based O. Wayne Rollins Foundation served as the lead gift, and we offer our heartfelt thanks to the Rollins family for their generous support. We were thrilled to have so many of them with us on campus to celebrate the occasion. A second ceremony was held later in the day to dedicate the 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Zell and Shirley Miller Library. Former U.S. Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, ’51, his lifetime partner and Message from the President wife, Shirley, ’54, and several members of their family cut the ceremonial ribbon outside of the new library. The library more than doubles the College’s previous physical space, utilizing three floors of the center for group study rooms, reading carrels, computer stations, and areas for permanent and special collections. In addition to the Zell and Shirley Miller Library, the Rollins Campus Center features the new 500-plus seat Grace Rollins Dining Hall, featuring made-to-order meals, grab-and-go options, multiple platform grills, a salad station and dessert bar. The Charles Edwin Suber Banquet Hall provides an elegant, spacious venue for group gatherings, guest lectures, workshops and receptions. Featuring a sound system, retractable screen and portable stage, this multipurpose space is available to the surrounding community for rental. Additional highlights of the facility include space for student activities and services in the third-floor Mary Ripley Warren Student Organization Loft, a multimedia theater with stadium seating, a Chick-fil-A® Express restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop, and a game room with a pool table and foosball table. Without a doubt, this building has truly become the new social and intellectual heart of our campus. NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND LEADERSHIP The educational experience at Young Harris College continues to offer diverse academic programs and attract superb faculty and staff. In Fall 2014, the College added three new bachelor’s degree programs in creative writing, environmental science, and interdisciplinary studies that will prepare students for a variety of careers. The College also established two innovative minors—popular culture and sport studies. We also welcomed new academic leadership with Professor of Theatre and Dean of the Division of Fine Arts Chris Crawford. 2014–2015 PRESIDENT'S GIVING REPORT 3 Our students continue to impress both on and off campus. A COLLEGE OF DISTINCTION The College hosted the third annual Undergraduate Research For the fourth consecutive year, Young Harris College was Day, titled “From Paint Brushes to Petri Dishes,” in March 2015. named to the prestigious Colleges of Distinction list for providing Showcasing the research projects of YHC faculty and students students with the best learning experiences in undergraduate from all academic disciplines, the day included 20 oral and 16 education. YHC was among fewer than 300 colleges and poster presentations on topics ranging from “Sleep and Working universities from across the country and one of only eight in Memory” to “This is your Brain on Politics.” Georgia to earn the honor in 2014-2015. This accolade honors Our Media Studies Research Collective, consisting of colleges excelling in key areas of educational quality: engaged communication studies students and faculty, presented students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful original research at two prestigious conferences in Georgia and outcomes. California—where the group was recognized for being the only In May 2015, we conferred 156 baccalaureate degrees on undergraduate presenters in attendance. Talented music and graduates and welcomed political strategist and public servant musical theatre majors blew the competition away at auditions James Carville as the Commencement speaker. Carville, whose for the Southeast Region of the National Association of Teachers visit to campus paid tribute to his longtime friend, former U.S. of Singing, and our biology majors impressed fellow presenters Senator and Georgia Governor Zell Miller, ’51, delivered a by taking home the “Outstanding Undergraduate Presentation humorous and inspiring message. Award” for the third year in a row. Our graduates have left the Enchanted Valley to embark on ambitious new journeys, but I am certain they will impact the OFFICIAL NCAA DIVISION II MEMBERS world just as they have our campus. On Sept. 1, 2014, Young Harris College became a full and We hope that as you reflect upon the many achievements of active member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s this past academic year, you will be as excited as we are about (NCAA) Division II—the culmination of a three-year transition YHC’s future. We are committed to becoming an institution of process that began in July 2011. This was truly a team effort for national distinction, and with your help we are well on our way. the College administration, coaches, and student-athletes, as well As you can see, the 2014-2015 academic year offered as the entire campus community who was supportive each step of extraordinary opportunities for our students to learn, grow and the way. succeed in the world outside of Young Harris. Your unwavering The Mountain Lions made the most of their first season support of YHC allows us to continue our journey to excellence, of NCAA postseason competition as well as all Peach Belt preparing generations of students for fulfilling lives of service and Conference (PBC) postseason tournaments. leadership. Thank you for your faithful commitment to the future The nationally ranked men’s soccer team enjoyed their finest of this institution. season in program history, making their first-ever NCAA Division II Tournament appearance and advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Lynn University. The National Warmest regards, Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) presented Ilija Ilic, ’15, with the NCAA Division II Men’s Player of the Year award and the Men’s Scholar Athlete of the Year award. Coach Mark McKeever was named Division II Southeast Region Coach Cathy Cox of the Year, and four players were placed on the NSCAA Division President II All-America Team—more than any other institution.