Westminster Campaign
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. ” Winston Churchill
Leadership for the future. Westminster College has always led the way—whether it is in rigorous academics, national rankings, rich history, or the professional and personal growth of our students. Today our students are welcomed into a dynamic global community that challenges them to think big and deliver big in leadership and service as they pass through The Columns. We want to show you how far we’ve come and introduce you to some of our remarkable students who are ready to make a difference wherever they find themselves. Then we will lay out our strategic plan for what resources are necessary to ensure Westminster leads the way in the years to come. The next chapter of the Westminster success story is poised to be written…with your help we can make it an extraordinary one. George B. Forsythe, Ph.D. President of Westminster College
Legacies are not left. They are lived. Leadership is not confined to a single act. Doing great things is a result of one’s daily character, unwavering principles, and ongoing commitment to humanity. It is true that Westminster’s 160-year legacy of leadership is unparalleled in the country. It is reflected in the charitable acts, humanitarian causes and the way students, faculty and alumni inspire each other to do noble things. Yet, leaving a legacy is not an isolated event. It is a journey that lasts our entire lives. Today, we stand at a crossroads. One path looks back to celebrate our past. The other looks forward to realize our full potential. 4
Westminster is not just about academics, sports, studying abroad or leadership. It’s a combination of all those things and how they collide to create a transformative experience.” Ben Jones Westminster Student
Generosity from Westminster’s faithful has resulted in amazing growth. Since 2001, enrollment has increased from 750 to 1150 students, the number of countries represented has grown from 12 to 64, faculty increased from 51 to 64 and students that studied abroad rose from 7 to 77.
Significant things we have done. Those who have faithfully championed the cause of Westminster College have reason to be proud. Over the past decade, Westminster has dramatically enhanced its reputation as a nationally ranked 1 and respected liberal arts college. The school is repeatedly heralded as a global center for leadership2 and has received rave reviews from students in national surveys on holistic education3. Since 2001, unprecedented giving in the amount of $80 million has sparked a stunning revitalization of the campus landscape and the construction of a magnificent science center, dining hall and new student activity center. In addition to impressive capital improvements, the college has leveraged nearly $50 million in growing endowments, including five endowed chairs that have attracted top-notch faculty in the fields of Biology, History, Business, and English. As a result, Westminster has enjoyed an impressive surge in enrollment from students around the world. 1 Forbes, U.S.News & World Report, Princeton Review, America’s Best Colleges, Colleges of Distinction 2 U.S. News 3 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
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Students we have inspired. While Westminster is proud of its national accolades and prestigious awards, it never loses sight of the reason it exists: educating students to lead and inspiring them to achieve. The noble accomplishments and selfless leadership of the following students provide a glimpse into the heart of what an education at Westminster is all about.
Westminster teaches all of us that you lead by example by giving of yourself.� 8
Jorden Sanders Westminster Student
Pradipti Rajbhandari Accounting & Economics Major Pradipti helped to impact 15,000 lives by installing water purifiers in 34 different schools in rural Nepal through the Davis Projects for Peace program. Pradipti is thankful for the “great faculty” and “best campus buildings” at Westminster. Recently, Pradipti was hired by Ernst & Young.
David Strawhun Biology and Philosophy Major Through the Rwanda Community Partnership, David helped set up micro loans to revitalize the economy in Rwanda. He also worked with the Westminster Poverty Initiative to transport excess dining hall food to the local soup kitchen; Eco House to install a campus garden, and the National Conference on Ethics in America to raise awareness on ethics.
Jorden Sanders English, Journalism & Publishing Major
Kevin Moritz Biology Major Kevin impacted the lives of school children while studying biology in Belize – one of our “classrooms without walls.” Kevin put leadership into practice as the captain of the Westminster baseball team, President of Kappa Alpha Order and as SLIAC Representative of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Jorden Sanders is one of five sisters who have attended Westminster. She is the Lectures and Diversity chair for the Emerson Center for Leadership and Service. She is a grateful recipient of the Triple S Scholarship.
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Abdullah Al-Hadeethi Triple major in Business Administration, International Studies & Transnational Studies Working hand-in-hand with the United States, Abdullah helped to rebuild areas destroyed by war in Iraq through the United States Agency of International Development. Abdullah is grateful for Westminster’s efforts in bringing International students to campus.
Brittney Regal Spanish & International Studies Major Brittney volunteered in Costa Rica where she helped build houses for poverty-stricken families. She is also an intern at the Center for Engaging the World and a founder of Globe FM Radio, which empowers students to deliver International perspectives on global issues.
Ben Jones
Westminster has a rich history. But, I think it has an even brighter future.� Pradipti Rajbhandari Westminster Student
Transnational Studies & Spanish Major Ben is involved in the Emerson Center for Leadership and Service through the Student Government Association. Ben plans to study abroad in Spain, and is a grateful recipient of the Wallace L. Head Family Scholarship.
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A decision yet to be made.
People
Legacies are living things. If they are not fed, they die. Despite tough economic times, Westminster must lead onward with vigor, determination and unified vision. To continue its tradition of excellence as a world-class institution with global impact, Westminster must focus on three things: people, programs and places.
Creating endowments to support student scholarships and create faculty chairs to retain top faculty are the cornerstone of our efforts. Without private funding, many students would not be able to afford college and benefit from the Westminster experience. Though recent endowments are generous, they generate only 15 percent of our total financial assistance to students, and have not kept pace with an amazing 25 percent increase in enrollment.
Scholarship and Endowment: $30 million in needs
A $20 million increase in endowment will generate $900,000, creating scholarships for 95 students. A $10 million increase in endowment will generate $450,000 to enable five endowed faculty chairs.
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Programs
Places
Educational Program Enhancements: $25 million in needs
New and Expanded Facilities: $25 million in needs
Remarkable global leadership programs such as the Emerson Center for Leadership and Service and the Center for Engaging the World have forever enriched the lives of countless Westminster students.
Prospective students are highly influenced by the quality of the recreational and athletic facilities a college offers. One-third of the student body participates in varsity athletics while the rest enjoy recreational activities. It is clear that Westminster’s 20-year-old recreation space can no longer compete with the alternatives offered by other schools.
However, to stay competitive with other colleges, existing programs must be sustained and new programs introduced. $25 million in financial support will provide resources to expand, elevate or establish a number of exciting initiatives. Expand Faculty and Student Study Abroad Take-A-Friend-Home Program Model UN Involvement Tomnitz Family Learning Opportunities Center Center for Teaching and Learning Establish Greek Leader Development Global Leaders in Residence High School Leadership-Service Recognition High School Summer Leadership Program
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Elevate Westminster Symposium Honors Program National Churchill Museum
$25 million in financial support will unveil a first-rate student recreation center complete with basketball courts, aerobics space, pool, strength training and cardio fitness rooms, and plenty of social spaces for students to interact. Improvements to athletic fields and locker rooms will also put Westminster on the radar of champion student athletes. Additionally, enhancements to Greek housing will foster the Greek leadership development program and will assist in attracting and retaining quality students.
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Lead the way Churchill reminds us, “What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?” Therefore, as brave and visionary champions of Westminster College, let us take these words to heart, step out with courage, and lead the way. Contact Westminster College at LeadingTheWay@westminster-mo.edu or 573-592-5370 for more information on how you can give.
If you spend your entire life just trying to make a difference, even if it’s in one person’s life—that is remarkable.” 18
Brittney Regal Westminster Student
Scott Wilson ’74 Campaign Chair
Westminster Campaign www.westminster-mo.edu/go/LeadingTheWay
Westminster Campaign www.westminster-mo.edu/go/LeadingTheWay