Fayetteville, NC - Methodist University

Table of Contents
(in alphabetical order)
Maria Sikoryak-Robins
Editor
Robin Davenport
Associate Editor
Lauren Cook Wike
Alumni Editor
Heather Malone-Ferry
Associate Alumni Editor
Kirbie Britt
Athletics Editor
Tiffany Nabors
Campus Photographer
Ray Baker
Bill Billings
Martha Davis
Melissa Jameson
Krista Lee
Contributing Editors
Rhonda Forbes
Creative Director
Bill Parish
Paul Wilson
Photo Contributors
Michael Safley
Vice President of Church
and Community Relations
Alumni ......................................................................................................................23-29
Annual Giving....................................................................................................13-18, 21-22
Booster Club......................................................................................................33
Faculty & Staff ..................................................................................................32
Friends of Music................................................................................................30
Gifts in Honor ....................................................................................................34
Gifts in Kind......................................................................................................39
Gifts in Memory .................................................................................................33
Matching Gifts...................................................................................................18
NC Independent College Fund ..............................................................................35
Parents.............................................................................................................31
Campaign Update.............................................................................................................10
Cumulative Giving ..........................................................................................................8-9
Enrollment ......................................................................................................................6
Fiscal Data.......................................................................................................................7
Highlights ........................................................................................................................5
New Gifts.......................................................................................................................40
Scholarships & Endowment ..........................................................................................36-38
University Boards....................................................................................................4, 25, 40
Ways of Giving ...........................................................................................................19-20
Wish List .......................................................................................................................20
Volume 48, Number 1
Methodist University Today Magazine (USPS 074-560) is published quarterly for friends and
alumni of Methodist University by the University Relations Office, Methodist University, 5400
Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311-1498. Periodicals postage paid at Fayetteville, NC
28302-9651 and additional mailing offices. Printed by The Highland Press.
About this donor report:
Designations in this publication include donors whose gifts were received between Jan. 1, 2006
through Dec. 31, 2006 unless otherwise noted. Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information contained in this report is accurate; however, with a project of this magnitude, the
possibility for unintentional errors or omissions exists. We sincerely apologize for any such errors.
Please report any corrections to Robin Davenport, vice president for Development, at (910) 630-7609,
toll free at (800) 488-7110, or you may e-mail her at rdavenport@methodist.edu.
Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, national or ethnic
origin, religious denomination, or disabilities for otherwise qualified persons in the
administration of its admission, educational policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletics,
employment, or any other college-sponsored or advertised programs.
Methodist University is related by faith to the North Carolina Annual Conference, Southeastern
Jurisdiction, The United Methodist Church. Methodist University is an independent corporation
rather than an agency of the Conference and is responsible for its own debts and obligations.
Postmaster: Send address changes to: Methodist University Today Magazine, University Relations
Office, 5400 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311-1498. Circulation: 18,100 copies.
2006 M ESSAGE FROM THE P RESIDENT
Dear Methodist University Family and Friends,
2006 was a wonderful year in the life of Methodist University. In the spring, our Physician Assistant
program, one of only four in the state, celebrated its 10th anniversary. Our athletic teams then finished
the 2006 spring sports year with four USA South Athletic Conference Championships, four Coach of
the Year awards, and three Player of the Year awards.
In late summer, we celebrated not only our largest traditional freshman class of
417 incoming students, but also our largest class of Presidential Scholars, at
171 students, in the history of Methodist University. Our big celebration, however,
occurred in November, with the observance of our 50th anniversary from charter,
and the move to University status.
“Should we become a university?” was the question on everyone’s mind in 2006.
There were valid arguments for and against the change, and there was the greater
question of what our new name would be if we did become a university. We looked to
sister institutions—Campbell, Chowan, Elon, High Point, and Wingate—who had
successfully made the transition as we weighed our decision. One argument for the
change was the need to differentiate ourselves from technical institutes who have adopted the “community
college” name in recent years. I am pleased to share that, in the end, the Board of Trustees unanimously
approved the name change from Methodist College to Methodist University on Nov. 1, 2006 as a
reflection of the growth of the institution—from 86 students, 12 faculty, and 11 majors in 1960 to over
2,100 students, 350 faculty, and staff, and 70 majors and concentrations today, including a vibrant
international program with 72 students from 37 countries.
As I reflect on the history and accomplishments of our first 50 years, it is evident that this institution was
founded and nurtured by a group of special individuals who went above and beyond the call. Those same
types of individuals exist today, on our Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff, who will
guide this institution forward over its next 50 years. My wife Jerry and I are deeply honored to have been
a part of this wonderful family for the last 24 years, and thank you for your friendship and support.
Sincerely,
M. Elton Hendricks
President
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