Endowment to Honor David Osterhout '37
A new endowment is being established in honor of David Osterhout, one of Doane's most beloved graduates and pillars who died this past September.
Funds will be collected for the enrichment of Osterhout Arboretum, as the 300-acre campus is one of Osterhout's most visible legacies.
Osterhout oversaw landscaping for new buildings and the replanting of much of the central campus. He helped Doane become the 19th affiliated site of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum in 1979. In 1983, he brought an All-America Rose Selections test garden to campus. In 1988, he helped secure a Kiewit Foundation grant to establish a nature study area.
Contributions may be sent to Dan Meyer, director of planned giving, Doane College, 1014 Boswell Ave, Crete, NE 68333.
A celebration of the life and legacy of David Osterhout is planned for Friday, May 9. For details, please contact the Alumni Office at 402.826.8258.
Teachers' Grove to Honor Education Professionals
With the construction of the new Chab Weyers Education and Hixson Lied Art building, Doane College also gained a magnificent formal entrance to campus. This spring the Teachers' Grove will be a beautiful addition, occupying the area where the Goodall Science Building formerly stood.
Designed to honor education professionals, the Teachers' Grove thus far has over 100 names that will placed on a large red quartzite boulder at the heart of the landscaping. A dedication ceremony is planned for April 25.
For more information, please contact Dan Meyer, director of planned giving at dan.meyer@doane.edu or 402.826.8237.
Greek Phonathan
Alumni giving is one way college ranking agencies evaluate academic institutions. It may seem an oblique way to determine engagement - alumni-funded buildings are more noticeable, alumni-attended homecoming events are more fun - but it makes sense. Alumni make a very direct and measurable reference to their feelings for a college by contributing money.
So how much do our alumni love their alma mater? During Greek Phonathan, 144 students called 1,500 of their own alumni over nine nights. Some 1,100 Greek grads contributed a record $56,000.
Sigma Phi Theta had the highest alumni giving with 85 percent, with Gamma Phi Iota a close second at 78 percent. Delta Kappa Pi alone brought in $9,000. The students' hard work did not go unrewarded! The participating Greeks competed for prizes, the largest of which was $500 toward the winning fraternity or sorority's annual formal.
The Greeks put their hearts into Phonathon and our alumni answered the call, literally. Competition played a part in their success - but that's the point. College rankings are by definition a competition. When the rankings come out, we should remember to be grateful to the Greeks and the 1,100 alums who gave.
In the months ahead, we hope you'll help in the competition to set Doane apart. Please take a moment, answer the call and reconnect with Doane through our newest generation of students. You make all the difference.
Have you remembered Doane College in your estate plans?
Doane will host its 18th Estate Planning Seminar April 27-29, 2008, at the Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City. Matt Hanson, a Crete-area attorney, will conduct the seminar on the value of an estate plan and how to establish one. Along with providing our alumni and friends education on this critical subject, we'll also be having some fun and relaxation. For more information or reservations, please contact Dan Meyer, director of planned giving, at dan.meyer@doane.edu or 402.826.8237. Reservations are limited to the first 12 parties responding.
Crete Area Campaign
The 2007-08 area campaign for Doane College raised $161,988, exceeding its $155,000 goal. Results of this year's "Celebrating the Connections- Doane and Crete" drive were announced at the annual Victory Dinner
Nov. 18 in Perry Campus Center. It marked the end of the successful campaign to raise money for The Doane Fund, which is critical to day-to-day operations and helps balance the college's budget. The Doane Fund also augments scholarship funds and assists in academic and cocurricular intiatives.
Mike '95 and Shaylene Suhr '92 Smith led the five-week drive. After graduating from Doane, Shaylene earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law and is an attorney and partner with Kalkwarf and Smith Law Offices in Crete. Mike is a computer support and networking specialist with Design Data in Lincoln.
About 125 people attended the dinner. Speakers included Cody Vance, Doane's director of special projects; College President Jonathan Brand; senior Tyson Compton of Kearney and Dr. Jill Bale, professor of finance. Doane adjunct music professor Kara Hoefs sang at the dinner.
The campaign will continue to take donations until June 30, 2008, the close of the academic year.