The School of Communication will embark this year on a capital campaign entitled: Our Second Century—Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future, Invest in Our Next 100 Years! The goal of the campaign will be to build on the gifts the School received this year and to raise additional endowmentfocused support that will help guarantee a bright future for the School of Communication. Over the years WMU’s School of Communication has become one of the best schools of communication in the Midwest, with excellent faculty, staff, and emeriti; great students; and alumni who have gone on to lead successful personal and professional lives. In 2006, the School celebrated 100 years of excellence. But today, the School faces an unprecedented financial challenge, related directly to the reduction in state funding for public higher education. In the 1970s, state funding accounted for approximately 85 percent of WMU’s total general fund revenues; today, only 42 percent. This drastic cut in public funding means that the School needs to find other sources of support. As the School enters its second century, there is an urgent need for permanent endowed funding to support the teaching and research missions of the School, to create scholarships to assist undergraduate and graduate students, and support and enhance facilities. In short, to continue to work toward becoming one of this country’s premier schools of communication, the School needs the support of its alumni, emeriti, and friends. More information about the School’s upcoming capital campaign will be available later this year. However, if you have questions, would like to know more about how you can become involved in the campaign, or would like to talk about making a gift please contact Steve Rhodes at: steve.rhodes@ wmich.edu. www.wmich.edu/communication
# 211 Brent L. Larson, Legislative Advocate for Borgess Health Alliance BA 1979; MA 1996 “I knew pretty early in my undergraduate studies that I wanted to pursue a career in some form of communication practice, but exactly what form that would take wasn’t clear until a few semesters into my coursework. In all of the communications classes I had the opportunity to take at WMU, a clear theme and an overriding characteristic emerged—the fundamental ability to understand, create, maintain and renew relationships. That has been the common denominator in the career paths that have moved into a couple different directions over the years.”
#4 Steve and Ann Rhodes
With more than 30 years invested in WMU and the School of Communication, most recently as its director since 1999, no one knows the School’s history of excellence, potential for the future, or financial challenges better than director and professor Steve Rhodes. Since stepping in as director, Steve has worked with faculty, students, alumni, and emeriti to strategically position the School of Communication for growth in its academic reputation and to be recognized as a WMU center of excellence. From his perspective as director, no one knows better the financial resources it takes to be a center of excellence. And no one appreciates more the commitment of others. “I know what it is like to try and promote the School and the good work being done by our students and faculty without funding. And I know what it is like for students and faculty to do without funding for crucial elements of their programs.” In that spirit, Steve and his wife Ann have pledged a long-term gift of $100,000 to the School of Communication. “We can think of no better way to thank those that have given so generously this year than to acknowledge their gifts by building on their investments.” The Rhodes’ gift will be given in partnership with the Doran gift to establish the Doran/Rhodes Director’s Endowment to promote, enhance, and improve the School of Communication. With the launching of the Second Century Capital Campaign, Steve and Ann invite others to join them in making a financial commitment to the School. When combined with other gifts, no gift is too small. For information about making a gift to the School of Communication, contact Nick McLaren, Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences at: nick.mclaren@wmich.edu. www.wmich.edu/communication
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Della DePietro, Senior Management
Public Relations, Ford Corporation MA, 1982 “In my own experience, my education became extremely useful in a totally unexpected way. And I think that’s really the value of education: it prepares you for the unexpected! I had many good professors at WMU, but George Robeck was an extraordinarily gifted one. And he connected theory with practice seamlessly.”
The Time is Now: How to Give The time to make a financial investment in the future of WMU’s School of Communication is now. As the School enters its second century, there is an urgent need for permanent endowed funding to support the teaching and research missions of this institution and to create endowed scholarships to assist undergraduate and graduate students.
Annual Gifts, Multi-Year Gifts and Planned Giving There are additional creative ways to support the School of Communication now and in the future—including annual gifts, multiyear-pledge commitments and planned gifts. Thoughtful gift and estate planning can aid you in preparing for your financial future as well as providing for long-term and possible short-term tax considerations. We can answer your questions about ways to make meaningful, planned gifts, using existing insurance policies, and/or by establishing trusts and annuities that can provide income to you during your lifetime. Tax-deductible contributions to the School of Communication’s Second Century Campaign should be mailed to the WMU Foundation at: WMU Foundation School of Communication Second Century Campaign 117 West Walwood Hall Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403
For additional information, please contact: Nick McLaren, Director of Development telephone: (269) 387-4399 e-mail: nick.mclaren@wmich.edu
www.wmich.edu/communication
#1 Jack Clifford Retired CEO and Media Executive B.A. Communication, 1956 My experience as an undergraduate in communication was invaluable and led to a very successful and lucrative career in the media industry. It would not have been possible without WMU. Given that this investment contributed to my success, I am reinvesting in WMU’s School of Communication and invite each of you to join me in honoring our traditions and embracing the future with your own financial contribution.
Brown Hall Naming Opportunities Gifts of $ 500,000 or more
• Brown Hall Lecture Hall • Brown Hall Media Center—Funded—Jack Clifford Communiation Resources and Media Cemter
Gifts of $ 250,000 or more
• Reception Area • Smart Classroom Lecture Hall
Gifts of $ 100,000 or more • • • •
Brown Hall Conference Room—Funded—Randall and Lisa Doran Conference Room Study Area Journalism / Public Relations – Computer Lab Telecom. Mgt. Special Projects Room
Gifts of $ 50,000 or more • • • • •
Multimedia Lab Film Editing Lab Audio Editing Lab Radio Studio TV Studio
Gifts of $ 25,000 or more • • • •
Radio Lab TV Control Room Media Center Library Area Media Center Reception Area www.wmich.edu/communication
#3 Randy Doran, Senior Vice President and Partner with Koll Development Company “My experience in Communication provided me with tools for working with others, such as listening, managing conflict, and getting work done in meetings.”
School of Communication Scholarships The cost of education continues to become more expensive. Many of our students work two jobs while trying to balance a full load of classes. With approximately 1.300 students pursuing an undergraduate major or minor, the School of Communication is one of the largest academic units at Western Michigan University. As the School enters its second century, there is an urgent need for permanent endowed scholarships in support of undergraduate and graduate students. p p p p p
Northouse Leadership Endowed Scholarship (new) Charles T. Brown Graduate Student Research Endowment (new) Jules Rossman Endowed Scholarship (new) WMUK Scholarship (new) Yelsma Small Group Communication Endowed (new)
p I’d like to create a Scholarship in MY name! www.wmich.edu/communication
#2 Roz Abrams
The Roslyn M. Abrams Endowed Scholarship in Communication will help support up to four communication students each year who need financial assistance. A sociology and speech major at WMU, Roz’s gift is personal. “If I had not been given a chance to do something I did not think I could do, I would not have had such a blessed life.” Her scholarship will be available to four students each year with a minimum GPA of 2.0 who have overcome socioeconomic obstacles or educational disadvantages.
Media and Information Technology Fund As the School of Communication prepares to move into the newly renovated Brown hall facilities, state-of-the art classroom space needs to be matched by stateof-the art equipment that reflects the best in media craft and information technology management. Critical priorities include new audio and video recording equipment, film and video editing systems, computer workstations, multi-media lab facilities and information management software.
Studio C Endowment For many media students, Studio C will be remembered as the Instructional Television classroom where they trained in television production under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Pagel and Dr. Jules Rossman. Historically, Studio C was the property of WMU’s Media Services and later WMU’s Office of Information technology (OIT).
School of Communication Program Endowment The best way to provide overall support for Communications students and faculty is to make a contribution to the School’s program endowment. This endowment is designed to support students and faculty by allowing them to engage in a variety of scholarly and creative project such as:
p Service learning projects inside the community p Engaged scholarship linking communication to contemporary communication problems p Supporting students and faculty research by enabling them to present their work at conferences and professional meetings p Bringing visiting scholars and industry professionals to campus to speak and meet with www.wmich.edu/communication students
School of Communication Western Michigan University 1903 West Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5318 www.wmich.edu/communication
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Kalamazoo, MI Permit #478
School of Communication
Our Second Century Capital Campaign
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future, the Next 100 Years‌
4 Media and Information Technology Fund
4 Scholarships
4 Program Endowment
4 Brown Hall Naming Opportunities