2024 Impact Report by Carthage College

A Message From the President

In the most recent issue of The Carthaginian, I focused the President’s Message on the topic of trust and its being the key ingredient in Carthage’s secret sauce.

Students and families are choosing Carthage and excited to stay because of what they see here:

• Strong programs, from academics to athletics to the arts.

• Engaged students, active in many organizations.

• A vibrant campus filled with students walking up and down Campus Drive, proclaiming themselves as Firebirds so much that they wear school attire and celebrate genuine Carthage spirit.

• Consistently friendly staff who go out of their way to smooth the path for newcomers.

Due to all of this, we have enrolled another near-record-setting class of just over 850 new Carthage students who began classes this fall. Because we are doing all of this, Carthage continues, even at a time of diminished trust in higher education, to be the kind of institution students and families seek to rely on: one that delivers quality education in field after field and prepares students to pursue their chosen paths.

I am so grateful for Carthage supporters just like you. The trust you signal through your financial commitment to Carthage makes it possible to share this key ingredient with today’s students and their families.

Because of you, we are continuing to align academic program and course offerings with workforce and student demand. Four noteworthy academic programs began this fall. A new accelerated graduate certificate program in product management for manufactured goods can be gained in only four months, and it’s possible for those who choose to continue this study to earn a Master of Science degree in business in

just six additional months. We have also added a new Bachelor of Arts degree in healthcare administration, as well as academic minors in both animation and medical humanities.

Carthage awards more than $20 million in scholarship and grant assistance with 100% of our students receiving some form of financial aid. This includes $1.5 million in competitive scholarships in business, mathematics, science, creative writing, languages, teaching, history, the visual and performing arts, leadership, and overall academic strength. The need for philanthropy to grow the financial resources to attract and retain Carthage students will only become more important in times ahead.

Thanks to you, the $100 million “Light that Travels” campaign is delivering results for students within three primary funding themes: investing in our students through scholarships, empowering our faculty through professorships and program support, and enabling the dreams of our future students through program innovation. I am sharing our most current financial information with you, in the hopes that your trust in Carthage as a recipient of your philanthropy will only continue to grow.

On behalf of our faculty, staff, and students, thank you for your generosity in continuing to move us ever forward.

John R. Swallow President and CEO

$6,586,729 TOTAL RAISED

MORE THAN 2,900 DONORS

Campaign Progress

carthage giving societies summary

Leaders in Philanthropy

LEADERSHIP GIVING SOCIETY members give $1,000 or more cumulatively to any area of the College in the current fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Tiers within the society recognize higher levels of giving, and graduated giving levels are available for recent alumni. Membership is renewable annually.

ENDURING GIFT SOCIETY members have cumulative lifetime giving totaling $100,000 or more (exclusive of estate commitments). Tiers within the society recognize higher levels of giving. Membership is lifetime.

ALFORD PARK LOYALTY SOCIETY members contribute any amount to the College for three or more consecutive fiscal years (July 1 through June 30). Tiers within the society recognize greater consecutive years of giving. Membership is renewable annually.

DENHART SOCIETY members have made Carthage a part of their legacy through estate commitments, planned gifts, and endowments. Membership is lifetime.

SUSTAINER members who demonstrate ongoing commitment by setting up recurring gifts that provide steady, reliable support for Carthage. Membership is renewable annually.

We Give to Carthage Because…

TOM DUNCAN

“Having recently retired as an executive with a healthcare system, I have seen firsthand the unrelenting need for well-trained staff. I have admired Carthage College’s blend of universally valuable liberal arts and the in-demand offerings like the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. With my wife, Jan, I created the CNA Duncan Family Scholarship Program to establish an additional career pathway for this type of staff member to assist an already overextended workforce. We truly believe Carthage can spark the curiosity of a new generation of healthcare providers.”

TERRI WRUCK

Phillip Hunter ’24 presents the Light That Travels award at the President’s

“I was privileged to mentor college students through internships during my 28 years at Snap-on. The value of these experiences is not always understood. But in 2019, it was brought home when former intern and Carthage student Rachel Gamarra ’13 surprised me at the 150 Years of Carthage Women Kickoff with a scholarship named in my honor. Now called the Wruck Family Endowed Scholarship, it can improve the lives of future generations.”

Lauren ’12 and Sergio Vasquez ’11

SERGIO VASQUEZ ’11

“Lauren and I are excited to contribute to the development of future Carthaginians in a similar manner to those who preceded us. The fund was created to honor the unforgettable support provided by Mr. John W. Fritsch, Trustee Emeritus, and Mrs. Judy Fritsch ’61. This scholarship seeks to aid and encourage upperclassmen on their path to graduation day, with hopes of creating indelible memories along the way.”

JOSH QUEVER ’09

Lisa Traxel ’25 presents the Light That Travels award at the President’s Dinner to Josh Quever ’09, alongside his brother Zach ’13 and their father, Grant ’77.

“Watching Carthage’s continued success is inspiring for its alumni. It inspired my family, just this past year, to set up an endowed scholarship with the College. This scholarship was a way that my father, brother, and I could pay forward the blessings we have received from Carthage. We believe in the power of education to uplift individuals, as well as communities, and we hope our commitment to giving back to the College will do just that … and build upon the already strong momentum underway.”

Trustee Tom Duncan with wife Jan

Dinner to Terri and Kurt ’66 Wruck.

Each dollar given to the Carthage Fund allows the College to have increased flexibility in providing access to the programs and people today’s students and their families are seeking most:

• Caring faculty and staff who know them by name and are committed to their academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being;

• A high-quality and innovative curriculum that instills the value of lifetime learning and seeks relevancy with today’s workforce needs;

• Internship and career support through the nationally recognized Aspire Program, giving all students a big boost toward a bright future;

• Student-run clubs and organizations, competitive athletics, and opportunities within the visual and performing arts; and

• A commitment to affordability through scholarship and other financial assistance for 100% of our students.

The Carthage Fund assists the College in meeting the most immediate needs of our students.

28 SPORTS

775 STUDENTATHLETES

49 PARTICIPANTS IN CARTHAGE-BOUND PRE-ORIENTATION

MORE THAN

1,400 PARTICIPANTS FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS

130+ CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

438 MUSIC, THEATRE, DANCE AND STUDIO ART STUDENTS

Luther’s Lunchbox

Attending Carthage is more than receiving an education, as the unique holistic care leaves a daily and lifelong impact on the student. Without personal needs met first, a student will not be able to learn at their highest potential. That is why Luther’s Lunchbox is such an important mission of the Center for Faith and Spirituality. This provides a free grab-and-go area of breakfast items, snacks, meal items, and hygiene products. Food security is the first step in a student’s college success!

“As a commuter student who works directly with Luther’s Lunchbox in the Center for Faith and Spirituality, I can attest to the peace it brings to other students — as well as myself to know that there is a meal available when it is most needed.”

AMBER JANKE ’25

Majors: Psychology, Neuroscience, Data Science Minor: Religion

SURE GRANT RECIPIENT

Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at Carthage offers students in all majors the opportunity to engage in collaborative full-time research with professors. Students work closely with faculty mentors on a new or developing line of research. Terrell Franklin ’25 worked under the guidance of Carthage Professor Jojin Van Winkle on his SURE project “Crafting Speculative Narratives: Screenwriting for the Streaming Age.”

WHAT EXCITES TERRELL ABOUT HIS SENIOR YEAR?

In his senior year, he will write, produce, and direct his first feature film! This combines everything that he loves to do and will give him experience that will help him to stand out.

WHY CARTHAGE?

At Carthage, Terrell has settled into a group of peers with a similar drive and passion. He has been able to do things like literary publishing and film production.

Impact of donors on The Aspire Center

Your gifts help The Aspire Center (our career services office) to alleviate expenses that students often incur during an internship. Such expenses include fuel and transportation fees, professional attire, and food. For example, a student who completes a photography internship for a nonprofit organization may need to purchase a new camera. Funding helps offset those costs so that students can successfully pursue internships related to their field of study.

“The people and the opportunities I have encountered here could not have been found anywhere else.”

TERRELL FRANKLIN ’25

850+ INCOMING STUDENTS FOR FALL 2024

Top Majors

NURSING

MANAGEMENT

MARKETING

BIOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY Student Enrollment Profile

2,600 STUDENTS ENROLLED MORE THAN 80

LEGACY FAMILIES ENROLLED

“With losing my mom in 2018, being at her alma mater really made me feel close to her in a totally different way. And the scholarships helped me make her proud.”

AVERY MORRIS ’24

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships have a significant, long-term impact: contributions are invested, and earnings provide scholarships in perpetuity for generations of future students. Named endowed scholarships can be established with a minimum contribution of $25,000, which can be pledged over five years. Endowments grow over time and typically yield 4.5% to 5.5% to fund scholarships each year.