Annual Report Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017 Letter from the President Dear Alumni and Friends, Welcome to Wilmington College’s 2016-17 Annual Report. We hope you find this both informative and inspirational as we provide a glimpse into some key accomplishments from last year while also setting the stage as we approach a milestone year in the life of Wilmington College. This summer, the College unveiled elements of “Vision 2020,” our strategic plan that is designed to position the institution favorably in WC’s 150th anniversary year, 2020. The plan’s central focus is enhancing the student experience. This is being accomplished through new and strengthened academic programs, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning and leadership development, and upgrading the spaces in which students live and learn. The College’s historic Leave Your Mark Campaign is closing in on a successful conclusion with less than 5 percent of the $21.2 million goal left to raise by the end of December. The results of this effort — your effort — can be seen throughout the campus: physically with two major new facilities, academically through enhanced spaces for teaching and learning, and in the faces of our students, for whom everything from scholarships and grants to increased opportunities for hands-on learning is transforming their lives. I invite you to closely review this Annual Report. You will see that your College on the move at a time in which small, independent and religiously affiliated institutions are facing unprecedented challlenges. We are committed to ensuring that Wilmington College continues to provide a distinct, values-based educational experience with a hallmark for hands-on learning for many years beyond our 150th anniversary. I greatly appreciate the role you are playing in Wilmington College’s success and, as always, thank you for your support of this great institution. With respect for you all, Jim Reynolds President ‘Vision 2020’ Plan Features New Programs and Student-Centered Upgrades Wilmington College has begun implementing its strategic plan, which is designed to better position itself in the dynamic higher education environment as the institution approaches its 150th anniversary in 2020. A highlight of the plan, known as “Vision 2020,” features such new academic and co-curricular programs as an occupational therapy major and a master’s degree in athletic training. These will build upon the recent completion of two major facilities and the success of signature programs in the sciences and sport sciences. Also, the College is upgrading student housing, expanding sports offerings and enhancing recreational opportunities for students, while, in addition, steamlining areas of its operational structure to better meet current educational demands will ensure the institution’s fiscal viability as it moves forward. President Jim Reynolds stressed the College remains steadfast in its support for students’ needs. “Students will find this plan will result in additional academic, co-curricular and leisure time opportunities for them,” he added. Reynolds explained the College’s financial condition is sound — indeed, WC possesses a “solid endowment and asset portfolio.” For the past 20 months, a work group including the president, senior administrators and members of the Board of Trustees, met regularly to evaluate the operational structure and create a sustainable business model as articulated in Vision 2020. In addition to the forthcoming new academic programs, the College reinstated wrestling to take advantage of the significant interest in the sport at high schools in the region. This summer, the former YMCA, now owned by WC, underwent major renovation into a fitness and recreational facility known as the QRC (Quaker Recreation Center). Also, this summer, upgrades were made to common spaces in Austin-Pickett Hall that include a computer lounge, new furniture and other shared amenities to enhance living and learning. Alumni Giving Alumni Giving The overall alumni giving percentage for TOP 10 CLASSES BY CONTRIBUTORS Wilmington College last year was 11%. This percentage is used, along with other factors, ‘73 by U.S. News & World Report when ranking the top colleges and universities. Foundations also look at this rate when making decisions on which ‘59 colleges to fund for different grants. All of this is why it is important for alumni to consider making a gift to Wilmington College and showing pride in ‘67 your alma mater. ‘17 TOP 10 CLASSES BY AMOUNT ‘74 ‘66 ‘69 ‘72 ‘61 ‘65 Alumni Giving Percentage by Class Year 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% ‘37 ‘41 ‘44 ‘45 ‘46 ‘47 ‘48 ‘49 ‘50 ‘51 ‘52 ‘53 ‘54 ‘55 ‘56 ‘57 ‘58 ‘59 ‘60 ‘61 ‘62 ‘63 ‘64 ‘65 ‘66 ‘67 ‘68 ‘69 ‘70 ‘71 ‘72 ‘73 ‘74 ‘75 ‘76 ‘77 ‘78 ‘79 ‘80 ‘81 ‘82 ‘83 ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ’08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ‘16 ‘17 Alumni Giving Percentage Cont. Where Do Contributions Go? 35% The Wilmington Fund Facilities Leave Your Mark Campaign 30% Misc. Athletics Academic Programs & Student Support Scholarships 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% ‘37 ‘41 ‘44 ‘45 ‘46 ‘47 ‘48 ‘49 ‘50 ‘51 ‘52 ‘53 ‘54 ‘55 ‘56 ‘57 ‘58 ‘59 ‘60 ‘61 ‘62 ‘63 ‘64 ‘65 ‘66 ‘67 ‘68 ‘69 ‘70 ‘71 ‘72 ‘73 ‘74 ‘75 ‘76 ‘77 ‘78 ‘79 ‘80 ‘81 ‘82 ‘83 ‘84 ‘85 ‘86 ‘87 ‘88 ‘89 ‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99 ‘00 ‘01 ‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ’08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ‘16 ‘17 Giving by Geographic Location Top 5 OHIO PENNSYLVANIA 1,481 Donors 48 Donors $1,249,179 Given $58,191 Given KENTUCKY CALIFORNIA 40 37 Donors $104,916 Given $37,735 Given FLORIDA 54 Donors $87,325 Given 2,085 Donors $1,749,919 Given Leave Your Mark Campaign Update The Home Stretch Epic campaign exceeds 95 percent of goal in race to the finish line Wilmington College’s historic Leave Your Mark Campaign is poised on the threshold of achieving its $21.2 million goal by the end of 2017. The 2016-17 fiscal year ended June 30 with $19,555,316 in total gifts and commitments during the multiyear endeavor, an impressive 92.4 percent as the push for the finish line commences. When including gifts received through Sept. 12, $20,213,671 has been raised, positioning the campaign total at 95.35 percent and less than $1 million left to achieve the goal. In the scope of the campaign, the $8,785,370 raised for the Center for the Sciences and Agriculture greatly exceeded the $7 million goal for that facility. Also, funds realized for scholarships nearly doubled the goal while several other specific areas are on target to achieve or exceed goals. Matt Wahrhaftig ’94, vice president for advancement, said the campaign is positioned for a successful conclusion, but a further commitment from alumni and friends is needed to put it over the top. “This is a comprehensive campaign so all gifts — large and small, restricted and unrestricted — count toward the total, State-of-the-Art Facilities including those given for The Wilmington $21.2MM Annual Fund Fund,” he said. “We greatly appreciate GOAL the generosity shown by stakeholders of People & Programs Wilmington College, and urge all alumni and friends to be a part of this historic endeavor on behalf of our students — State-of-the-Art Annual People & current and future.” Facilities Fund Programs The Leave Your Mark campaign runs $20.25MM Raised 96% $15MM $4MM $2.2MM through Dec. 31, 2017. Gifts can made through WC’s Website at www. wilmington.edu/give or sent to: RAISED TO DATE CSA: $8.79MM Wilmington College c/o Advancement $3.28 MM $4.82 MM Office, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington, CSS: $3.23MM OH 45177. *2.2M in unrestricted gifts to the campaign Annual Fund Annual Fund Endowment Performance Endowment Spending by Year Donor Spotlight Knowlton Scholarship Helped Pave the Way for ’17 Grad’s Success Arizona Craycraft recalls looking at colleges with plans of being able to pursue her seemingly diverse interests in chemistry and theatre, but at most schools, that pairing of programs was literally prohibited. Indeed, accommodating those interests was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole — not so at WC! “As I visited schools, I was told I couldn’t combine them,” the Springboro native recalled. “Wilmington College was just down the road, so I visited and met with (theatre professor) Wynn Alexander. I asked him if there would be a conflict if I studied both theatre and chemistry — he said, ‘No, why would there be?’” WC’s flexibility and interest in helping students pursue their dreams and interests continued throughout her time at the College. Arizona was active in such areas as residence life, service opportunities, theatre productions and ETC (Educational Theatre Company). She is especially remembered for her roles as Vivienne in Legally Blonde and as the haunting specter in Blithe Spirit. She was selected for the Leadership Plunge before even taking her first class at WC, “so I came here that fall already knowing a handful of students and staff. I quickly developed a good support system that first year with people I could go to.” Soon, Arizona developed an interest in WC’s communication arts program and opted to change her major from chemistry. Then came another Wilmington College revelation. Anticipating a rebuke for her decision, she told (chemistry professor) Dore Meinholtz, who pleasantly surprised her with the response: “Do what’s best for you and what you’re passionate about.” “I’ve never forgotten that,” an impressed Arizona added, noting she still graduated in four years with a major in public relations/ journalism and minor in theatre.