WESLEY SPRING 2011 - Wesley Magazine - Wesley College

ADVANCEMENTThe Wesley SocietyA CelebratedBeginningBY CATHY ANDERSONTHE INAUGURAL YEAR of theWesley Society has been an incredibleand highly successful journey. Since itsinception in fall 2009 when 62 donorsqualified as charter members, Societymembership had grown to 155 membersat the end of the charter year onDecember 31, 2010. This marks a 150%increase – a remarkable accomplishmentin today’s economy!The Wesley Society is the College’spremier annual giving group whosemembers contribute a minimum of$1,000 each year. Through generousgifts to the annual Wesley Fund,Society members allow the College toprovide scholarships to students so thatthey can pursue their dreams. Donorsalso are welcome to designate theirgift—to athletic programs, the StudentLeadership Retreat, the AlumniAssociation, endowed scholarships andmany more Wesley initiatives. ManySociety members give multiple gifts ayear to benefit both the Wesley Fundand their favorite programs.Since the Society launch, chartermembers have contributed a total of$670,050 to Wesley. In the last fiscalyear ending June 30, 2010, the fundscontributed by Society members madeup 40% of the financial gifts, althoughrepresenting only 8% of our donors.Who are the members of the WesleySociety? 73% (113) of our membershipare individuals or couples, 20% (31) areorganizations and businesses, and 7%(11) are foundations. 20 members areWesley faculty or staff and 16 aretrustees. Wesley alumni make up about46% of the individual Society members,with 9 couples who are both alumni—college sweethearts! The most generousFrom left: Vice President for Institutional Advancement Chris Wood, Wesley Society Presidentand Trustee Bill Strickland, Board of Trustees Chair Charles “Chip” Dashiell, President Johnston,Student Government Association President Tanner Polce and Director of the Wesley SocietyCathy Anderson display the Wesley Society charter members plaque.decade of alumni Society members isthe ’60s with 21 donors, followed by the’70s with 10 donors. The other decadesare evenly represented, all the way backto one donor from the Class of 1931.Charter members come from 17states, with predictably, Delaware beingthe most common—home to 55% of ourmembers (86 donors), followed byPennsylvania, New Jersey, andMaryland. Other states represented areNew York, Florida, Virginia, WashingtonD.C., Maine, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee,Arkansas, North Carolina, NewHampshire and California.To culminate the charter year, theCollege hosted the first annual WesleySociety Gala. Held on the evening ofJanuary 8 at The Outlook at DuncanCenter in Dover, close to 100 guestsbraved the remnants of a snowy morningto attend. One highlight of theevent was the participation of 12 outstandingWesley students who showcasedtheir accomplishments withpresentation posters stationedthroughout the reception area. Theprogram was emceed by BillStrickland, president of the Society,and included testimonials from studentCassandra Cardenas ’11 and Societymember, Senator Colin Bonini ’91.President Bill Johnston concluded theprogram by unveiling a plaque listingall charter members, which will beprominently displayed on campus.Wesley Society has celebrated agreat beginning. The success of theWesley Society speaks volumes aboutthe Wesley family and the commonbond—the appreciation for Wesley’scritical role in the lives of thousands ofstudents over its long history, and itsimpact for years to come. In order toensure a strong future, the Collegeencourages charter members to continuetheir support with renewal giftsannually, and hopes that other contributorswill consider joining the Societywhen making their 2011 gift!To learn more, please contactDirector of the Wesley Society CathyAnderson at andersca@wesley.edu or(302) 736-2410.40 WESLEY COLLEGE :: Spring 2011