Centre News

The last year Centre was No. 1 in the nation in alumni giving
was 2004. The College hopes to regain the title this spring.

On March 15, the student callers taking part in the 2010 spring
Phonathon reached the $250,000 mark set in the “One Million
Reasons to Give” challenge.

The people of Centre College have long shown that together they can meet any challenge that comes along, from hosting a General Election Debate to defeating the nation's No. 1 football team. Last week, Centre College alumni proved it yet again as they committed more than $250,000 to meet the “One Million Reasons to Give” challenge.

The “One Million Reasons Challenge” was issued last fall by an anonymous donor, who said that if Centre alumni contributed $250,000 in new or increased gifts before June 30, 2010, it would be matched three-to-one with a contribution of $750,000.

“For example,” explained Shawn Lyons ’81, associate vice president for development and alumni affairs, “if someone gave $25 last year and gives $100 this year, that’s a $75 increase, which would then be matched by $225 from the anonymous donor.”

Centre alumni met the challenge with more than three months to spare, passing the goal on March 15.

“As of that date, 2,713 alumni have made gifts and pledges that represent $254,085.15 in new or increased gifts, compared to what they gave during the 2008-09 fiscal year,” Lyons said. “Well over half of the alumni who have made a gift this year have increased their gifts in response to the challenge, which has been tremendously helpful in moving us toward our goal of 60 percent alumni participation this year.”

In pursuit of 60 percent

Even with the success of the One Million Reasons challenge, reaching the goal of 60 percent alumni participation will not be easy. Director of Annual Giving Jacky Thomas ’02 noted that more than 1,100 alumni donors need to make gifts in order to hit that target.

“Reaching 60 percent alumni participation is significant for many reasons, most important, of course, because of how those gifts make the special experience at Centre possible.”

Vice President for College Relations Richard Trollinger added, “Centre alumni have long been recognized for their outstanding giving. Our strong alumni giving record is one of the reasons Forbes ranked us No. 1 among all colleges and universities in the South and No. 14 nationally. We hope that those alumni who have not yet given will join the 4,700 who have so that Centre can reclaim its rightful place as number one in the nation in alumni loyalty.”

To make a gift and help the College reach its goals, click here.