University Advancement
Dave Clouse, Vice President for University Advancement
MISSION OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
To establish and maintain relationships that make possible learning integrated with faith, facilities that match our dreams, and a solid financial foundation for Freed-Hardeman University.
VISION OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
FHU Advancement will become the premier advancement program among church of Christ-related institutions.
DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY
Office of University Advancement
Dave Clouse, Vice President
Tonya Hyde, Administrative Assistant
Wanda Pulse, Special Events Coordinator
Tonya Meek, Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement
Led by the vice president for university advancement Dave Clouse, the Office of University Advancement is made up of five areas. Each department within University Advancement shares the same mission and vision. Each department works to establish and maintain relationships, making possible learning integrated with faith, facilities that match our dreams, and a solid financial foundation for Freed-Hardeman University. Each department will become the premier program among church of Christ related institutions.
OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
Betsy Hesselrode, Director
The Office of Alumni Relations exists to establish and maintain relationships with current students, former students and friends of the university. The staff seeks to inform these audiences of university opportunities and to facilitate their involvement and investment in the university. To accomplish these goals, the staff works with the Student-Alumni Association, the Alumni Association, student workers and several chapters away from campus. A number of outreach tools are coordinated through the office, including the alumni Web site, travel program, on-campus events, off-campus events and publications.
OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
David Newberry, Assistant Vice President for Development
The Office of Development exists to establish and maintain relationships with all constituencies of the university in an effort to secure funding for university programs. The Office of Development seeks to acquire funds for the annual fund (yearly operating expenses), capital fund (special projects and buildings), and endowment fund (long-term investments in the future of the university). The Office of Development attempts to uncover new sources of gifts and inspire current donors to increased levels of participation so as to help provide every student an undergraduate or graduate education and to maintain the university on a solid financial foundation. The Office of Development coordinates fundraising for athletics, the direct mail program, the Phonathon, solicitation of individuals, businesses and churches, and fundraising for the annual Advisory Board Benefit Dinner.
THE CENTER FOR ESTATE AND GIFT PLANNING
Burton Williams, Director
The Center for Estate and Gift Planning exists to establish and maintain relationships with all constituencies of the university in an effort to secure the financial future and permanency of Freed-Hardeman University. The Center is responsible for wills, estates, insurance programs, annuities, trusts, split-interest gifts, and other means of planned giving. The Center provides educational services in financial and estate planning through seminars, mailings and personal sessions. The Center produces comprehensive financial and estate plans for alumni and friends of FHU and oversees the Student Tuition Expense Program (STEP) for the pre-payment of tuition and other expenses. The Center also manages the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Organization and the endowed scholarship program, including sponsor stewardship, student recipient coordination, and accounting of all endowed funds.
OFFICE OF MARKETING AND UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
Jud Davis, Director
The Office of Marketing and University Relations exists to establish and maintain relationships with all constituencies of the university, internal and external, by directing the university in marketing and communicating the mission and vision of Freed-Hardeman. OMUR is responsible for the dissemination of information to the media and university publics through the University Web site, recruiting material, press conferences, press releases, Seasons and all publications produced by the university. OMUR also produces videos, Web sites and photography that promote the university and its activities. OMUR produces the annual integrated communication plan for the university and assists other university-related organizations with the development of promotional materials. OMUR is also responsible for providing counsel to the president and his cabinet about communication with internal and external audiences.
OFFICE OF CAPITAL PROJECTS
The Office of Capital Projects exists to provide the facilities needed to match our dream of being a premier Christian university making a positive global impact. This office completely coordinates all capital fundraising projects for University Advancement. This includes conducting studies necessary to determine feasibility, planning and organizing all capital fundraising projects, and working with the President, Vice Presidents, Directors, Territory Managers, and others that are necessary to accomplish the goals of capital fundraising projects.
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AREAS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Annual Fund
The annual fund is the backbone of the yearly operation, providing critical support to all university departments. The annual fund helps bridge the gap between what students and their families pay for an FHU education and the actual cost of operating the university. Student tuition and fees pay only about 70 percent of the cost of an FHU education. Individuals, businesses and churches support the annual fund through their contributions to the:
Some of the programs through which dollars are secured for the annual fund are direct mail, the Phonathon, the Annual Advisory Board Benefit Dinner and direct solicitation.
Capital Fund
Donations to the capital fund are generally used to purchase items that have a usable life of at least two years, that cost more than $5,000 and that are not currently included in the annual operating budget. The capital fund also seeks funds to construct new buildings and renovate existing ones. The Capital Fund plays a vital role in helping maintain and improve the appearance and usefulness of campus facilities.
Endowment Fund
The endowment fund is the foundation of financial strength for the university. It serves as the university’s “savings account” and is essential to the financial health and future of the university. Currently the endowment fund stands at more than $32 million. A committee of the board of trustees oversees the investment of these funds.
There are three main divisions of the endowment fund:
Permanent Endowment. The university has a permanent endowment provided by gifts, grants and bequests. Interest and dividends from the assets in the endowment may be reinvested or used to cover a portion of the operating costs of the university. Wills, estates, insurance programs, annuities, trusts and other means of deferred giving are offered. A certified public accountant, a certified financial planner, an attorney and the entire development staff stand ready to assist with individual's financial and estate planning.
Endowments for Programs. Endowment funds have been established to benefit certain departments, programs or schools. The income from these funds is used solely for the work of the particular department, program or school for which it is designated.
Scholarship Endowments. Through the years, friends of the university have provided scholarship endowments in the names of friends or loved ones. Endowed scholarships are funds exceeding $30,000 with the principle invested and the interest used for scholarships. Additions to the principle can be made at any time. Currently, two-thirds of Freed-Hardeman University’s endowment is composed of these scholarships. That means that Freed-Hardeman University’s scholarship program is a vital part of ensuring that students are given a chance to receive a Christian education. As our program continues to grow, the number of scholarships we are able to award grows, and the number of students who can receive their education increases.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Advisory Board
Members of the Advisory Board are appointed by the board of trustees upon the recommendation of the university president. Each member is encouraged to contribute financially to the university, assist in the recruitment of prospective students and donors, and to help promote the annual Benefit Dinner. The Advisory Board Benefit Dinner is hosted annually on the first Friday night of December. It is the single largest fund-raiser of the university.
Associates
The Freed-Hardeman University Associates, established in 1963, have organized more than 40 chapters of women in various communities to promote the work of the university. They have sponsored several major projects over the years, one of which was the Associates Science Center, dedicated in April 1971. In addition to significant gifts to assist the university, the Associates award $50,000 annually in scholarships to FHU students.
Alumni Association Executive Committee
Comprised of alumni from various years, the Alumni Association Executive Committee meets quarterly. The committee’s projects include recognizing alumni association award recipients, coordinating regional events and hosting on-campus events such as homecoming. In addition to cultivating alumni loyalty, the committee represents the association by providing a vehicle through which alumni can provide input to FHU administration.
Endowment Society
The concept of the Endowment Society of Freed-Hardeman University was the brainchild of Dr. E. Claude Gardner, former president of FHU, as early as 1972. The society was officially established June 23, 1976, to assist FHU benefactors in creating a gifting plan to satisfy the donors’ need to help charitable causes, maximize tax benefits, increase income, and provide for loved ones. Membership may be accomplished through several planning vehicles, including gift annuities, trusts, life estates, or naming FHU as a beneficiary in a will or life insurance policy. Membership is also available to donors who establish endowed scholarships with gifts of $30,000 or more for students attending FHU. Endowment Society members receive an original, autographed print of the Old Main Bell Tower by Sandy Stetler Sims (’86), an invitation to the annual Endowment Society reception held during the FHU Bible Lectureships, the Endowment Society Newsletter and recognition in the alumni magazine.
Estate Planning Council
The Estate Planning Council is a distinct group of allied professionals practicing in the fields of accounting, financial planning, insurance, investment management and law. The purpose of the Estate Planning Council is to strengthen the mission of Freed-Hardeman University by heightening the awareness of the university through the members’ example of Christian leadership in their communities and through their work in the financial and estate planning arena.
The Legacies of Freed-Hardeman University
The Legacies of Freed-Hardeman University is a program to recognize donors who give in an outstanding way, to show gratitude for their interest in helping accomplish the university’s mission and to encourage lifelong learning. The program includes four societies, which recognize four levels of giving. The Hardeman Society includes all who give any amount to the university’s annual fund. The Maroon and Gold Club includes all who give at least $120 per year. The Bell Tower Society includes all who give $600 or more each year. The President’s Circle includes all who donate $1,200 or more during the year. Donors in each of these groups are recognized annually in Seasons magazine and other appropriate publications.
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