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 <strong>NC</strong> 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 <strong>University</strong> Boards....................................................................................................4, 25, 40 Ways of Giving ...........................................................................................................19-20 Wish List .......................................................................................................................20 Volume 48, Number 1 <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> Today Magazine (USPS 074-560) is published quarterly for friends and alumni of <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> by the <strong>University</strong> Relations Office, <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong>, 5400 Ramsey Street, <strong>Fayetteville</strong>, <strong>NC</strong> 28311-1498. Periodicals postage paid at <strong>Fayetteville</strong>, <strong>NC</strong> 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. <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> 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. <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> is related by faith to the North Carolina Annual Conference, Southeastern Jurisdiction, The United <strong>Methodist</strong> Church. <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> 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: <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> Today Magazine, <strong>University</strong> Relations Office, 5400 Ramsey Street, <strong>Fayetteville</strong>, <strong>NC</strong> 28311-1498. Circulation: 18,100 copies. 2006 M ESSAGE FROM THE P RESIDENT Dear <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> Family and Friends, 2006 was a wonderful year in the life of <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong>. 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 <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong>. Our big celebration, however, occurred in November, with the observance of our 50th anniversary from charter, and the move to <strong>University</strong> 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 <strong>Methodist</strong> College to <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>University</strong> 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 1