UM_campaign

T HE C A MPAIGN FO R TH E UN I V E RS IT Y O F MO N TEVA LLO :

It’s About Family

“AS IT HAS FOR GENERATIONS, MONTEVALLO CONTINUES TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN PREPARING STUDENTS TO BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.”

–Carolyn Howell ’79, COO, YWCA Central Alabama Third Generation UM Alumnus

In the world of higher education, the University of Montevallo stands apart. The only public liberal arts college in Alabama, Montevallo offers a small college experience, affordability, rigorous academics and friendships that last a lifetime.

MONTEVALLO IS ABOUT STUDENTS. On Montevallo’s campus, students find the best of themselves.

They find meaning and purpose, whether it’s graduate school or a career in service or industry, or a life enriched by the liberal arts.

MONTEVALLO IS ABOUT TRANSFORMATIONS. With support from faculty and friends, students on our campus learn how to work hard, think for themselves and express their own creativity. They leave Montevallo ready to take their place in the world.

MONTEVALLO IS IMPORTANT. The liberal arts experience prepares our graduates to make meaningful contributions to nearly every field in communities across the country and beyond.

MONTEVALLO NEEDS YOU. More than ever, we need the support, encouragement and commitment of everyone whose lives have been touched by Montevallo. Your contributions are vital to the ongoing success of the University. It falls to all of us to continue graduating men and women who make a difference in the world.

In this document you will find our plans to strengthen nearly every facet of the University, from student support to faculty excellence and facility improvements. You will hear from alumni who are working in a wide variety of careers to change the world and you will see how their lives were changed by Montevallo and by generous supporters like you.

This is about family…our family. We invite you to join us, to become involved and to help us ensure that the future of the University of Montevallo is as bright as its past.

Dr. John W. Stewart, III

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE UNIVERSITY MONTEVALLO: It’s About Family

This campaign exists to do more than simply raise money. The cumulative goal of $20 million is an investment in the knowledge, expertise and values that Montevallo graduates will take into their lives and into their professions. It is an investment in building responsible, productive and creative lives to take leadership roles in our communities, our state and our nation. It is an investment that will provide significant dividends for generations to come. In short, It’s About Family.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Since our founding in 1896, the University of Montevallo has provided generations of students with remarkable living and learning experiences. Recent years have seen Montevallo emerge as a compelling model for quality and access in higher education. Now it is time for alumni and other friends to join us in taking the university we love to even higher levels of meaning and substance.

Montevallo already enjoys many features that distinguish the greatest colleges: •

Emphasis on the enterprise of teaching and learning – Students who come to Montevallo forge lifelong relationships with devoted faculty, dedicated staff and passionate coaches. Montevallo’s nearly 120-year commitment to the liberal arts and to excellence in teaching and learning is what fuels the success of our University and our graduates.

•

Traditions – The greatest colleges are rooted in tradition. Montevallo’s commitment to enduring traditions such as College Night, the Crook Tradition, community service, social justice and activism, performance and fine arts, teacher education, excellence in Falcon athletics and many others, gives it a sense of history that few schools can boast.

•

Beautiful historic campus and grounds – Anyone who has spent time on our Olmstead-designed campus knows that it is as beautiful as any in the South. The architecturally distinctive buildings, handsomely groomed grounds and historically significant structures have given pleasure and a sense of the past to countless students and their families over the years.

Montevallo has always enjoyed strong support from alumni and loyal friends – support that has made all the difference to the students we serve. Now is the time for us to embark together on an exciting journey that will allow us to achieve the full measure of our promise – philanthropy. The Campaign for the University of Montevallo: It’s About Family is the vehicle through which we will climb that last hill on our path to greatness, a path that will allow us to transform the world, one Montevallo student at a time, for the next 120 years.

Dr. John W. Stewart, III President, University of Montevallo

Sandra and Richard Bowers

Tim Lupinacci

Mike Strong and John Paul Strong

MESSAGES FROM OUR NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS Going to Alabama College was the high point of my life up until that time. It was made possible solely through a full four-year scholarship. The scholarship was funded by a gift from Hazel Driver, the dean of women at Murphy High School in Mobile. She left the money to her teaching sorority with the stipulation that it go to girls who would attend either Alabama College or the University of Alabama.

Ms. Driver changed my life, and in return, I have tried to use my resources to help future students.

That’s why I agreed to help with this campaign, because the University has meant so much to my life.

Won’t you join us and help keep the University of Montevallo on top in every way?

–Sandra Bowers ‘66 and Richard Bowers The University of Montevallo has enriched my life. The education and real-life experiences, the friendships and mentors all helped propel me to success. That’s why I have been passionate not only about helping better the world around me, but helping this generation and future generations of Montevallo students. When I think about the impact that UM has had over the past century, and especially the impact that it had on my wife, Ellen, and me, I can’t help but look forward—imagining the greater impact that the University’s upcoming comprehensive campaign will produce. Improved facilities, stronger faculty and multiple opportunities that will arise by the year 2020 will greatly enhance Montevallo’s impact around the globe.

–Tim Lupinacci ‘88 The education one receives from the University of Montevallo is priceless. Our company has had many opportunities over the years, and the roots of our success took shape at the University of Montevallo. Without degrees from the University, rest assured, our story would be quite different. That’s why we’ve decided to give credit where credit is due and make a personal donation to the Department of Communication and become active in the University’s fundraising efforts. It’s donations like yours that not only improve the lives of current students but also continue the legacy of The University of Montevallo. Consider making a pledge in any amount today to ensure the future of our beloved University. Every penny counts.

–Mike Strong ‘72 and John Paul Strong ‘02

A MESSAGE FROM OUR HONORARY CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS An investment in the educational opportunities at the University of Montevallo is more than an affirmation of appreciation for all UM has done and will continue to do. It is a commitment to a tradition that has always nourished the arts, providing students with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in their chosen fields. To maintain the standard of achievement that has made UM a premier liberal arts institution, our support of the It’s About Family campaign is more imperative than ever.

–Cassandra King, B.A. ‘67, M.A. ‘88 and Pat Conroy, New York Times Bestselling Authors

It’s About Family CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE FACULTY, COACH AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES FOR LEARNING, COMPETING AND LIVING BUILDING ANNUAL GIVING THE TRADITIONS FUND

“I BELIEVE LEARNING EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, AND AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO, THE ATHLETICS PROGRAM GIVES ATHLETES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL AND IMPROVE, NOT ONLY ATHLETICALLY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, ACADEMICALLY.”

-Kaitlin Thomas ’14 Biology and Chemistry Major

The First Priority: SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE A significant goal of the comprehensive campaign is to fund scholarships. Recruiting the best and brightest students has never been more challenging. State and private schools alike are offering more incentives than ever to help cover the rapidly escalating cost of a college education. To compete for the highest-achieving students, we need greater resources, and endowed and annual scholarships are an essential tool in the recruiting process.

Montevallo has long had a reputation for affordability, but many students still require financial aid to graduate as college costs continue to rise. While Montevallo students graduate with far less debt than those of other state schools, we still need resources to ensure that all of our future students graduate without crushing student-loan debt.

Look at the students on our campus and you’ll see an interesting mix of first-generation students and others from families that have been sending their children here for generations. You’ll see a broad mix of people from all races and socio-economic backgrounds. The University’s strategic plan specifically calls for increasing scholarships to support more diversity in the student population, which in turn enriches

every student’s experience. Your contribution to the It’s About Family

OVER

campaign ensures that we meet all of these goals.

60%

“The classroom” is no longer defined by the buildings on our campus; today, students learn some of their most valuable lessons through internships and by studying abroad. That’s why we encourage every

of our students are on needs-based financial aid

student to pursue these opportunities to enrich their education.

The most effective research internships require that students and faculty

work side-by-side, allowing students to grow in their capacity to develop and test new ideas. Our goal is to create more stipends for students and faculty to engage in research together during summer breaks.

With more effective internships, we reinforce the University’s ability to graduate students who are prepared for the rigors of graduate and professional schools.

Some UM partnerships that provide students internship opportunities include: •

Emory University’s Department of Biochemistry

•

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

•

Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo

•

The Washington Center

•

PricewaterhouseCoopers

•

The Walt Disney Company

For many students, studying abroad is a life-changing experience. Spending time in a new culture, with people whose background and education are far different from their own, gives students a new perspective on their own culture. Study abroad often leads to career opportunities with companies whose markets extend well beyond national borders. Our own faculty members lead the study abroad programs at Montevallo, so our students continue the Montevallo Our students have received assistance to study in: • France • Spain • Peru • Honduras

academic experience in other parts of the world. Foreign study opportunities come at a cost, though, and not all students can afford it. Our goal with the It’s About Family campaign is to ensure that any student who wants to study abroad can have the opportunity, regardless of their financial situation.

“There isn’t a day that goes by in my professional or personal life that I’m not working directly with people whom I formed relationships with during my days at the University of Montevallo.

My time spent at the University continues to guide my career in Washington, D.C.” -Amos Snead ‘02, Principal, Story Partners, LLC

“Without scholarship support from alumni and other donors, I wouldn’t have had the chance to experience this wonderful institution.”

–CHRIS HIGHTOWER ‘14, HISTORY MAJOR

BARBARA BONFIELD IS A 1958 GRADUATE OF ALABAMA COLLEGE. BARBARA SERVES ON THE ALUMNI BOARD FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO. MARIA RAMOS IS A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT FROM BREWTON, ALABAMA. SHE IS A 2014 GRADUATE.

ON DISCOVERING MONTEVALLO Maria: I came to Montevallo completely on a whim at first. Being from such a small town, I wanted the big college atmosphere, the typical university. I found myself after every tour making a list of pros and cons. Nothing really seemed to click.

And then one day the guidance counselor at my high school said I should visit Montevallo. I came here on a Saturday with my mom. People were constantly smiling—making me feel so welcome.

After I left, I had no pro and con list; there was nothing I didn’t like about it. I just felt it and knew that this was my home.

Barbara: Well I feel like I’ve known about Montevallo all my life. My mother went here and finished in 1927. I grew up with two sisters who went here, and I used to come down to the campus and visit them. And still, when I was getting ready to graduate from high school, my best girlfriend was going to the University of Alabama and wanted me to join her. I said to my mother, what about going to the University of Alabama? And she said, why don’t you go to Montevallo one year and if you decide you want to change, then you can. But I came for one year, and never wanted to leave.

ON THE VALUE OF SCHOLARSHIPS Maria: Being a first-generation college student, obviously you run into obstacles. Can we afford this? Can we pay for this? I grew up in a very open home. We talked about everything. I knew that it would be a financial burden on our family. And I remember one day specifically, about a month after I was accepted,

Barbara Bonfield ‘58 UM Alumni Board

Maria Ramos ‘14 Psychology Major

I got a letter in the mail that said I’d been awarded a scholarship because I had a certain score on my ACT. I showed my mom and asked, “Do you think this is real, because I didn’t even apply for this?”

I called and they said that once you make a certain score, you’re automatically put into that pool for scholarships. The fact that they awarded me a scholarship without my even applying said we want you here. Definitely without those scholarships, I wouldn’t be here.

Barbara: It’s been really interesting working with the alumni board. One of the committees I serve on looks at scholarships. I feel strongly that scholarships make a big difference for our students. When you look back at the history of Montevallo, we have provided opportunities for so many strong women, particularly. I know there are a lot of men, too, but I come from the generation that was mostly women. And they became leaders in the community.

ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF FAMILY Maria: As a student nearing graduation, I can confidently say that the support of the alumni, the faculty and staff means everything to me. And without that support, especially the financial support, I wouldn’t be here. I think it’s very important that we continue to show how much Montevallo means to us and how much of a family that we are through continued support of each other.

Barbara: Montevallo has been such a big part of my life and such a big influence on where I’ve gone in my life. I can’t say enough about how important it is that we support the students that are here now and that we continue to see that students have the support of the alumni.

“THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO ALLOWS STUDENTS TO EXEMPLIFY THEIR INDIVIDUAL QUALITIES. SUPPORT FOR THE UNIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT SO THAT OTHERS CAN EXPERIENCE THIS ASTOUNDING UNIVERSITY.”

-Bria Hines ‘15 Speech Pathology Major

The Second Priority: FACULTY, COACH AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT At the heart of all that we do—all that Montevallo is—lie our faculty, coaches and staff. To ensure that Montevallo remains among the top-tier universities, it is imperative that we continue to recruit excellent faculty who are leaders in teaching and research, but most importantly, people who are passionate about helping students achieve their full potential.

“As the years have passed, we wanted to do our part to help Montevallo continue to offer a great educational opportunity. Supporting UM with our time and resources has been our way of giving back while attracting the best teachers possible through the Distinguished Professorship program. It is Linda’s and my honor to support our alma mater.”

–Todd Strange ‘77

Chairman, UM Board of Trustees Mayor of Montgomery

One of the chief priorities of the It’s About Family campaign is to endow faculty chairs, establish distinguished professorships and attract talented coaches to lead our athletic programs. Endowments and professorships ensure we attract and retain excellent senior faculty and coaches, while providing resources to improve faculty salaries across the university.

The University’s strategic plan lays out a number of initiatives to enrich the curriculum and prepare students to make the most of their liberal arts studies. This

campaign will support those initiatives by funding undergraduate research, interdisciplinary studies, information literacy and study-abroad programs.

Innovation in education requires time for the faculty to design and implement new programs and courses. Professors need release time to accomplish these tasks and our goal is to provide stipends, travel and expense grants, as well as pay for additional faculty appointments—all to foster the goal of continuing innovation in teaching. Only then can we ensure that Montevallo retains its place among the state’s top universities.

The Third Priority: FACILITIES FOR LEARNING, COMPETING AND LIVING One of the University’s most beloved assets is its National Historical District campus designed by the famed Olmstead Brothers. Beautiful brick streets, walkways and buildings unite the Montevallo family across the generations. Preserving this heritage comes at a cost, of course. The campaign will help us maintain the beauty of our historic campus, from landscaping to brick walkways to antebellum buildings.

The It’s About Family campaign also addresses the critical need for modern, state-of-the-art facilities. Improvements to academic, residential, athletic and other public spaces are needed in order for the University to continue to attract the very best students and faculty.

CAMPUS INFRASTR UCTURE

“My experience at the University of Montevallo was one of the most special times in my life. I sincerely appreciate the faculty, staff and the great friendships that came during my time at Montevallo.”

–Jonathan Nelson ’93, General Manager,

Birmingham Barons Baseball

As Montevallo works to achieve budgeted growth and expanded programs, we must address ongoing maintenance challenges, including issues with aging roofs, dorm rooms, heating and cooling infrastructure. In addition, we are committed to reducing energy usage. State conservation guidelines require that we install energy-efficient windows. Many of our most heavily used buildings were designed before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a result, a number of classrooms and public spaces need to be brought up to ADA standards. The campaign will provide funding for these essential improvements.

ACADEMIC FACILITIES Continued growth of the University requires new academic spaces and upgrades to existing ones. Crucial needs include faculty and staff offices, theaters, performance venues, classrooms and public spaces that promote collaboration and active learning.

Technology is a pressing issue. In order to carry forward the Montevallo tradition of leadership in education, business, the arts and social justice, our students need access to the latest technology.

MORE THAN

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ACADEMIC AREAS

Renovations to Carmichael Library will play a key role in the creation of collaborative and digitally enhanced learning spaces for faculty and students. Other ongoing library projects include improvements to the digital media lab, digitization of archival materials and additional resources for the growing Annie Crawford Milner Archives.

Montevallo maintains a strong reputation in the sciences with a 90% placement rate to programs at some of the nation’s top medical and dental institutions. To maintain this success, we need updated research labs and equipment for biology, chemistry and physics. Our Speech and Hearing Center operates a clinic that serves hundreds of people a year, offering vital care to a diverse and growing number of clients. The need for additional space in the Center has become critical.

The UM Board of Trustees has approved several important building initiatives on campus. The overarching goal is to preserve our architectural heritage while creating learning and living environments that give Montevallo a competitive edge and enrich the liberal arts experience for our students.

Some of the Board-approved projects include: • • • • • •

New 3D Art building to house classrooms and studios Upgrades to Strong Hall, as the Mass Communication building is now named New equipment and upgrades to science labs and classrooms in Harmon Hall Expansion of digital media lab at Carmichael Library Upgrades to theatre spaces at Reynolds Hall New performing arts center on campus

grades to g for approved up in er nd re g in ild Bu n) s Communicatio Strong Hall (Mas

Building renderin g of new 3D Art bu ilding to house classrooms an d studios

“MY TIME AT MONTEVALLO WAS A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE THAT SET ME ON THE PATH TO THE CAREER I HAVE TODAY. GIVING BACK ENSURES THE MONTEVALLO EXPERIENCE IS HERE FOR GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS TO COME.”

-Dan McBrayer ‘08 Assistant Shelby County District Attorney

ATHLETIC FACILITIES Whether students participate in NCAA Division II or intramural sports, athletics is an important part of the college experience. Our athletic program has a rich tradition, and it is growing. To support new programs such as track and field and softball for women and to attract first-rate student-athletes from all over the world, we need expanded facilities.

17 NCAA

DIVISION II ATHLETIC

TEAMS

Athletic facility projects in need of support: • • •

New women’s softball complex at Orr Park New track and field facilities for men’s and women’s track and field teams New field house at Kermit A. Johnson Baseball Field

WHAT’S IN A NAME? HISTORY. Though most buildings on campus bear the names of people and families important to the University, naming opportunities still exist today, providing a unique legacy for alumni and donors.

“The world-class professors that shepherded me through my years at Montevallo put me on a path that resulted in the realization of my wildest dreams.”

–REBECCA LUKER ’84, BROADWAY ACTRESS

SINCE 1981, DR. HARRY HAMILTON HAS BEEN A DISTINGUISHED FACULTY MEMBER IN THE MICHAEL E. STEPHENS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. WILLIAM D. DOBBINS ‘94, IS THE MANAGING PRINCIPAL AT THE DOBBINS GROUP, A MULTIFAMILY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FIRM.

ON PREPARATION AND OPPORTUNITIES William: Well, when I left Montevallo, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: I wanted to be a real estate developer. I didn’t know exactly how I was going to get there, so I went into the retail world directly out of Montevallo. From there, I ended up landing a job with AmSouth Bank in their commercial real estate group, which was a great platform. Eventually I got into a specialized program at MIT for a Master of Science in Real Estate Development.

Dr. Hamilton: I remember when you told me you were going to MIT. I could not have been more excited. One of the best things about teaching is that feeling you get over the success of a student.

I knew that going to MIT was a career-maker. And I said, this is somebody who has really been successful. He’s going to go someplace. And then I started giving you advice about where to live in Boston and what to do. I was just so excited that I had a student that had this incredible opportunity, that had earned this incredible opportunity.

There are so many graduate school opportunities for Montevallo students. I talk to my students about this all of the time. We’ve had a number of students who have gone to very elite graduate schools.

William: I was scared when I first got to Boston. But once I got there, it was clear that I was well prepared. And I can attribute a lot of that to what I got from people like you, Dr. Hamilton. I owe a lot to this university.

Dr. Hamilton: I think we do more writing at Montevallo than you do at a lot of other institutions.

Writing is a vitally important way to develop your critical thinking skills, the critical thinking skills

Dr. Harry Hamilton Associate Professor

William Dobbins ‘94 Principal, The Dobbins Group

that you need in grad school. Combined with the liberal arts foundation and an environment where you have a lot of interaction with your professors, you develop better skills that allow you to be successful in grad school. And if you’re not a little nervous before you do something, then most likely, it’s not worth bothering to do.

ON SUPPORTING MONTEVALLO William: If you’re part of the University of Montevallo community and family, you know how special a place it is, and I think it’s really important that we all support it, we all come together to support it and preserve it for the next generation, so they can experience what we were all lucky enough to experience.

Dr. Hamilton: Your support for Montevallo will actually make a difference. This institution is small enough that a gift really goes a long way, further than it can at another institution. It is going to be something that can actually make a difference in people’s lives.

“MY EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND, NOT JUST WHO I WAS, BUT WHO I COULD BECOME. WHAT BETTER REASON TO DO THE SAME FOR SOMEONE ELSE?”

-Dr. Lewis Brooks, B.S. ‘88, M.Ed. ‘99, EDS ‘03 Assistant Superintendent, Shelby County Schools

The Fourth Priority: BUILDING ANNUAL GIVING It’s About Family seeks gifts that will make extensive improvements to campus and facilities, while providing permanent, endowed support for students and faculty. But the University each year has many unbudgeted needs, as well. As a state institution, our state appropriation has been cut in recent years. Therefore, we have a pressing need for unrestricted, budget-supporting gifts to provide for the critical needs of our students,

“Faculty are always appreciative when students

faculty, coaches and staff.

are willing to take the time to stay in touch and

Giving to the Annual Fund for Montevallo

even make a donation to the University. It

strengthens the core of the University and our overall financial well-being. It is an opportunity for everyone to participate, year after year, in providing a living endowment to advance the University in excellence. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference.

certainly is true that any amount can be used to support our students and our programs.”

–Dr. Ruth Truss ‘82, Professor of History,

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences Chair and Second Generation UM Graduate

The Fifth Priority: THE TRADITIONS FUND Founded in 1896, the University of Montevallo is home to a number of iconic landmarks and lasting traditions that unite graduates through the years and across generations. As we move forward, it is critical that we preserve traditions that have historically defined what it means to be a part of Montevallo.

Our traditions are an important part of our future. The Library of Congress recognizes College Night as the longest running homecoming event in the country. First produced in 1919, the musical-theater productions that highlight the event are expensive. We need financial support to provide perpetual funding for College Night and other campus traditions including the student newspaper, The Alabamian, Founder’s Day and our historic brick streets.

future storic campus for Preserving our hi generations.

Maintaining our rich Alabama Col lege heritage and traditions.

the country.

Upholding the longest standing Homecoming tradition in

“It is a great honor to spend my days training students who have the desire to professionally serve those members of society who are most vulnerable.”

–DR. JASON NEWELL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR, UM SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

DR. STEPHEN CONDREY IS A HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT. HE TAUGHT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA FOR 27 YEARS. JORDAN HUTCHISON IS A 2010 GRADUATE OF MONTEVALLO AND FORMER UM BASKETBALL PLAYER. TODAY HE IS A WEALTH ADVISOR AT OAK STREET FINANCIAL SERVICES.

ON THE QUALITY OF UM FACULTY Stephen: You know, Jordan, I don’t know if I told you, but I met my wife, Samantha Webb, she’s a professor of English, on an alumni trip in 2000. I met Sam, and to make a long story short, about a year and a half later we were married, and I moved back to Montevallo. I’ve really had a chance to get to know the faculty here as peers because I had taught at the University of Georgia, and I was actually commuting that first eight years of our marriage back and forth to UGA. And I can tell you without a doubt that the professors that you have here stack up against any school, in any place. And the interaction that a student has here with their professors is what you would expect in graduate school.

Jordan: I was just thinking that.

Stephen: But you had that experience here as an undergraduate, which I think is just amazing.

Jordan: My professors had a huge impact on my life. I studied psychology, but as I got close to graduation, I knew that I didn’t want to be a psychologist. Dr. Gilbert helped me figure out where I wanted to go. She wrote letters of recommendation for me. She helped me find directions to go. She had a huge impact on my life.

In fact, several of us who graduated together had the same experience. Five of us graduated together.

All five of us continued on to graduate school in different avenues. One was social work, one actually went into psychology, I went into financial planning. There’s actually a picture that I still have of all five of us. Two of our professors took a picture with us on graduation and all five of us went to grad school.

Dr. Stephen Condrey ‘78 HR Consultant

Jordan Hutchison ‘10 Wealth Advisor

Stephen: Yeah, I know Dr. Gilbert very well and she’s just lovely, a great teacher. She’s a Montevallo graduate. She’s taught at Pepperdine and then when the opportunity to come back home to Montevallo presented itself, she did. So there’s a person, Kristen, who could be teaching at any university in the country and chose to come here and teach.

Jordan: Montevallo has been such a big part of my life and such a big influence on where I’ve gone in my life. And I can’t say enough about how important it is that we support the students that are here now and provide them the same opportunities that we’ve been given.

ON SUPPORTING MONTEVALLO Stephen: It’s very important to support Montevallo. State money alone will not fund the fellowships, the scholarships and the endowed faculty chairs that the University needs to serve future generations.

My mother’s experiences here really instilled in me the importance of a college education. And as a first-generation college graduate, I would like to help other people attain that dream of getting a college degree. So I think it’s extremely important to contribute to Montevallo, to give back.

Jordan: The relationships that I made at Montevallo were great, and they were beyond anything that you could compare in the business world. It’s such a close-knit family, and it’s so different from other universities, the personalities, the relationships that you make with people. It’s up to all of us to keep that alive.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE “The University of Montevallo has a rich tradition of providing a high quality, affordable education that prepares students to succeed professionally and personally. We strongly support the University’s It’s About Family campaign. We hope our commitment will inspire other alumni, parents and friends to complete the funding of the campaign.”

–Mike Grainger ‘73 and Donna Grainger UM Foundation Board member

Families grow strong and remain strong only when the people who make up the family support each other. Montevallo is no different. We need your support, your involvement and your gifts to continue graduating remarkable people who are prepared to make a difference in the world. Get involved with the Campaign for the University of Montevallo: It’s About Family and help make a difference in the University’s future.

Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs montevallo.edu/itsaboutfamily 205.665.6215mily

“MONTEVALLO ISN’T JUST A UNIVERSITY. IT IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS ONE’S LIFETIME. WHETHER SUPPORTING A CLASS SCHOLARSHIP OR BEING A MEMBER OF THE 1896 SOCIETY, I CAN CONTINUE THIS EXPERIENCE FOR GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS.”

–Mary Louise Dabbs ‘56, Class of 1956 Representative