Annual Report of Gifts

You make it happen.

This explains how Champlain continues to achieve so many of its goals. Despite enduring one of our worst economic downturns, supporters of Champlain like you have understood what Champlain stands for and have stepped up to produce truly inspiring results. From capital projects like the renovated Perry Hall to the introduction of exciting programs like BYOBiz and our new Center for Financial Literacy to increased scholarship assistance, the response has been tremendous. In my nearly three decades of service to the College, I have been humbled by the level of enthusiasm from alumni, parents, businesses, foundations, and many other friends. This Annual Report of Gifts reminds us of your thoughtful and generous philanthropy.

I have been involved with fund-raising long enough to know that people support an organization because they believe in its mission. Champlain equips its students with the skills necessary to compete in today’s—and tomorrow’s—workplace. Our constituencies know this and have responded accordingly. Please take a moment to review the charts on the opposite page. They document results in three key areas: the growth in total dollars raised; the direction toward success of our new financial aid initiatives; and the progress of our Vision. Innovation. Passion. Campaign. Everyone associated with Champlain should feel great pride over these accomplishments.

I realize there is more to successful philanthropy than simply belief in mission. There must be healthy and happy relationships, and here is where Champlain works hard to build new bridges and to strengthen existing ones. Our community relations, including the business sector, are strong, and we are constantly ramping up our alumni relations program to involve more alumni with the College.

Our most important relationship is with current students, our future alumni. We are committed to providing them with top-flight teachers who challenge them in the classroom and who partner with them on projects that stretch assumed limits of knowledge. Our curriculum is intentionally nimble, allowing us to respond to emerging technology and to examine new ways of looking at familiar problems, such as environmental issues and social injustice. Students are attracted to Champlain because of the curriculum. They leave here with a leg up on the competition in the marketplace and, happily, many choose to remain in Vermont. Your increased scholarship support for single parents, new Americans, veterans, and first-generation college students, or general financial aid, has made their journey possible.

If students leave Champlain with positive and productive experiences, they, in turn, will support the College in the years ahead. That’s a wonderful prospect for Champlain and for the students yet to come. Your continuing support is a great role model for them!

Thanks for all you do for Champlain.

Warmly,
Shelley Richardson
, Vice President for Development 
and Alumni Relations