CREATING CONNECTIONS
THANK YOU! Together, we did it.
When the Lives of Consequence campaign launched in 2008, it was dedicated to furthering Amherst’s educational mission and strengthening the College for the future. One of its highest priorities was securing for a new century Amherst’s historic commitment to admitting students based on their achievements, talents and promise, without consideration of their families’ financial situation. An overall goal of $425 million was set for scholarships, curriculum and faculty support, learning outside the classroom and campus upgrades. Now, five years later, we can only marvel at all that has been accomplished. Thanks to the generosity of alumni from every Amherst class and every corner of the globe, as well as parents and friends of the College, the campaign surpassed its goal and raised a record-setting $502 million. In the midst of unprecedented economic challenge, you stepped forward—as previous generations have done—to ensure that Amherst remains a beacon for young men and women of exceptional talent. Along the way, our personal connections to the College and to our classmates and friends have grown stronger. Many of us have embraced new opportunities to sponsor internships, mentor students, host or attend alumni events and take advantage of new platforms the College provides in the virtual world to keep in touch. We are grateful to the volunteers and donors whose dedication made the campaign’s overwhelming success possible. Please join us on September 20–21 as Amherst hosts a celebration on campus to recognize these shared accomplishments. Until then, we extend our deepest appreciation for all you have done and continue to do for Amherst. It has been a privilege to serve as co-chairs for this remarkable campaign.
Brian J. Conway ’80
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Hope E. Pascucci ’90
Jide J. Zeitlin ’85
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the historic success of the lives of consequence campaign speaks volumes about the dedication of Amherst College graduates. Throughout the campaign, more than 17,000 of you stepped forward, both as volunteers and donors. You hosted gatherings for association events, alumni-student networking events and summer send-off parties for incoming Amherst students. You reached out, urging classmates to return to campus at homecoming and reunion. You sent emails and letters and made phone calls on behalf of the Alumni Fund. You also solicited feedback to help shape the College’s
Brad Richter ’87
Currently head of the Trusts and Estates Department at Fried Frank in New York, Richter started volunteering for Amherst as a student tour guide and has volunteered in some capacity ever since. Richter served as 25th Reunion Co-Chair, has spent more than a decade on the New York Amherst Association board and annually coordinates the New York City metro-region admitted student reception for the Admissions Office. “Amherst was a privilege to attend and has meant a great deal to me,” says Richter. “I appreciate the experience more and more as I go on in life. It’s wonderful to be able to give back in some way.”
path and progress. These contributions have lasting impact and advance the College’s legacy. We celebrate that Amherst is foremost a community whose graduates, in so many ways, ensure that terras irradient remains the College’s guiding principle.
Quiet Phase July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
January 2008
February 2008
Amherst announces it will eliminate loans in favor of scholarships and grants in all financial aid packages beginning in 2008.
The Center for Community Engagement opens with the support of a $13 million grant from the Argosy Foundation and John Abele ’59.
The first Koenig scholars arrive on campus. Arthur W. Koenig ’66 created the scholarship fund to expand and strengthen recruitment of talented students in Latin America and Africa.
Laurie and Ted Beneski ’78, P’08 make a $15 million gift to fund the Beneski Earth Sciences Building and Beneski Museum of Natural History.
The Dwight Goldthorpe ’41 estate bequeaths $23 million to the College for campus improvements.
November 2009
May 2010
June 2011
November 2011
January 2012
Amherst receives two extraordinary and recordsetting anonymous unrestricted gifts of $25 million and $100 million.
The Class of 1985 gives $14.4 million to the College, the largest 25th Reunion gift.
The Mead Art Museum receives an exceptional painting by Alfred Sisley through a planned gift from Chara and John C. Haas ’40.
Two professorships— the Paula R. and David J. Avenius 1941 Professorship and the Howard M. and Martha P. Mitchell Professorship— are established to recognize faculty excellence.
The campaign reaches its initial goal of $425 million.
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Ana Salas Siegel ’91
alumni fund chairs Chris Noyer Seaver ’81, Leo Arnaboldi ’81, and Aimee Carroll ’99
A senior vice president at Fox International Channels, Salas Siegel is active with the Amherst Association of Miami and served on the Presidential Search Committee that selected Biddy Martin, Amherst’s 19th President. “My work on the committee allowed me to forge an even deeper relationship with the College. I am excited by how the changing demographics of students and faculty are enriching an Amherst education, and the success of the campaign will expand the possibilities even more.”
As energetic and dedicated Alumni Fund Chairs, Noyer Seaver, Arnaboldi and Carroll have paved the way for consistent alumni participation. Along with providing leadership and strategy for the Fund, they have personally connected with hundreds of alumni each year to encourage gifts that initiate or continue membership in the 1821 Society. The trio’s service has been invaluable, and special thanks go to Arnaboldi and Noyer Seaver, who have served as chairs since the campaign’s launch in 2008.
2004 Class Agents Annie MacRae ’04, Courtney Knowlton ’04, Matt Murumba ’04 and Blake Sparrow ’04 A literary manager, teacher, actor and attorney, respectively, the 2004 Alumni Fund Class Agents continually inspire their classmates to support and connect with Amherst. Expertly organized and fueled by a motivated group of Associate Agent volunteers, the 2004 team achieves benchmark participation each year, resulting in strong class engagement. The excitement is already building for their 10th Reunion.
Kirsten Poler ’88
Doug Grissom ’89
Currently President of the Society of the Alumni, Poler also has volunteered in a range of positions over the years, including as Alumni Fund Associate Agent and a member of the 25th Reunion Gift Committee for her class. “Fundraising for the 25th Reunion connected me to Amherst in a new way,” says Poler. “It has been amazing to see how Amherst has changed and to get to know the people behind inspiring initiatives and new programs. I’ve also come to appreciate my time at Amherst more and more.”
The Regional Leadership Giving Chair for the Midwest, Grissom regards Amherst as a life-changing catalyst. Now a Managing Director at Madison Dearborn Partners in Chicago, Grissom—a longtime Alumni Fund volunteer who now co-chairs the Class of 1989’s 25th Reunion Gift Committee—credits the College with teaching him how to read, write and think critically. When asked to assist with the campaign, he happily accepted: “I wanted to be part of this effort to strengthen Amherst for current and future students.”
Official launch March 2008
May 2008
June 2008
October 2008
October 2009
The Trustees adopt a needblind admission policy for all international students, making Amherst the 8th academic institution in the country to do so.
The Class of 1958 raises $26.5 million, the largest 50th Reunion gift in Amherst’s history.
The Annual Fund reaches $10.7 million, the highest total since its establishment by alumni in 1924.
Amherst launches the Lives of Consequence campaign with a weekend of on-campus seminars and speakers.
The Virtual Lecture Series premieres with a faculty talk. The series, in conjunction with Amherst Reads, spurs the growth of Amherst Connects online programming.
April 2012
October 2012
June 2013
A group of donors join together to fund significant renovations to the Pratt Field complex.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awards a three-year $724,000 grant to expand a pilot project for collaborative humanities research, resulting in a dozen faculty members mentoring 100+ students.
The largest campaign in Amherst’s history concludes at $502 million, thanks to the remarkable generosity of alumni, parents and friends.
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Sept. 20–21 2013 You are invited to an on-campus celebration to recognize the many contributions of the Amherst community during the campaign.
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The AMHERST CAMPAIGN: how you did it
You connected
20,338
73%
5,000
donors to the campaign
of alumni gave to the campaign, a remarkable
new donors to the campaign
98% did so through the Annual Fund
86%
18,643
14,542
of alumni and
alumni, parents and friends attended an Amherst event on or off campus over the course of the campaign
alumni connected virtually through the alumni directory or online programs
54% of parents engaged with the College over the course of the campaign
you contributed
$502 million
exceeding our $425 million goal
You made an impact
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103,519 gifts to Amherst over the course of the campaign
$66 million
$202 million
in Annual Fund giving— support for current-use and emerging College priorities
for the endowment— to strengthen Amherst’s fiscal foundation
$70 million
$27 million
for scholarship and access— donors established or added to 230 endowed funds
for faculty and curricular support—donors established or added to 86 endowed funds
$103 million
272
for facilities—643,000 square feet of dormitory, classroom and social spaces were renovated or constructed
donors became Johnson Chapel Associates by including Amherst in their estate plans
5,335
1,463
alumni connected with or mentored current Amherst students
events were held on campus, across the country and around the world over the course of the campaign
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