Class of 1951 aims for $51,000
Fifty years after graduating from Lewis & Clark, members of the class of 1951 have embarked on a journey toward an altruistic goal—raising $51,000, in honor of their graduation year, to fund a student scholarship.
“Many of us benefited from the GI Bill®, and now we want to give something back,” says Shirley Mahar ’51. “Our minimum goal is $51,000. We want to keep the campaign open-ended so our classmates can contribute to the fund at any time.”
Spearheaded by Bob Godel ’51, the fund-raising process began with an announcement at the Golden Reunion last May. Soon after, he assembled a 20-member committee. Five meetings, one Holiday Gala, several letters, and one phonathon later, the group is working toward its goal—and has made new memories in the process.
“I get energized by talking to alumni ––both old friends and new,” says Godel. “For me, the experience has been a personal renaissance. It has been a pure joy to come back to Lewis & Clark.”
So far, the Class of 1951 Scholarship Fund Committee has raised over $35,000 in gifts and pledges. The College has invested the cash received in an endowed scholarship fund, which will finance a student scholarship annually beginning in 2002-03. In addition, class members have given approximately $31,000 in testamentary gifts (life insurance and bequests in wills and living trusts).
“We want to thank everyone who has made a gift or a pledge,” says Godel. “We encourage the rest of our class to make a contribution. The size of the gift is not as important as the act of giving.”
“These remarkable, dedicated volunteers have reached out to their classmates, many of whom they have not seen or spoken with in decades,” says Bonnie Stern, associate vice president for major gifts. “They’re having fun together, and they’re benefiting the College in a significant way.”
For more information about the Class of 1951 Scholarship Fund, contact Bob Godel at 503-254-4128.
