Wesley College Alumni Association Spring Board Meeting
August 12, 2006
I. Welcome and call to order – Dan Kimmel
Members Attending:
Dan Kimmel, President
Jane Mac Donald
Stephanie Smith Christiano
Tammy Antonaitis
Dave Maxwell
John Atkins
Matt Lindell
Anne Buckler
Lynn Knable
Tom Leary
Barry Hawlk
Harry Warren
Also attending:
President Scott Miller
Kevin Loftus, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Amanda Downes, Director of Alumni Affairs
Blessing – Rev. Harry Warren
Agenda Review
II. President’s Report – Dr. Scott Miller
President Miller presented the student body enrollment to be:
3,000 applicants competed for 525 slots-Wesley is no longer a second choice
students are higher quality, higher GPA, low SAT are given a “Westbridge”
39/50 students opted to enroll in the program, with 30 making it into the
College, true to the mission of Wesley College not to shout out worthy applicants
525 incoming (85 transfers)
1500 full time
2400 total, 1,035 on campus (increased from 290 in 1997)
Administration Re-structure
Chief Financial Officer- Eric Nelson
Executive Vice President and Provost – Betty Copland
Faculty Associate for Global Relations – Susan Cooper
Greater emphasis on global learning (Wesley soccer team presently in UK)
Schwartz Center
Third year relationship
Delaware State University and Wesley cooperative relationship to be formalized fall 2006
Schwartz to be a fine and performing arts center to showcase student talent
Campus developmement
Phase IV
Fire suppression system will be completed end 2008
350,000 grant to update heat/cooling systems for Campus Community School
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Athletics
Wentworth Gym now air-conditioned
Reed Field- baseball fundraising new fencing
Football team was in third place nationally last year- increased interest among athlete applicants
Final year in PAC, currently voting membership into Capital Athletic Conference
Faculty
11 new faculty, 65 tenured, 20 nin-tenure, 6 new positions
Advancement
Grant funding efforts adjusted to changing funding complexion
Currently, there are new grants, more pending (i.e. nursing grant)
Alumni giving – Kurt Hahn ’94 spearheaded new scoreboard at Wolverine Stadium in memory of his
Father
Kevin LoftusOrganization Chart presented to Alumni Board
Teresa Petro- Administrative Assistant - excellent writing skills
Leigh Ann Little – Director of Publications
responsible for sending out 3 Wesley letters, 4 Planned giving, Coach letters,
W Club, Golf Brochure
Jennifer Vallee – Director of Donor Relations- Wesley grad to seek in-person business funding
Amanda Downes – Director of Alumni Affairs and Parent Relations
Director of Foundation and Government Relations – Open Position
11.1 million total support
Using Blackbaud program to facilitate strategizing for prioritizing funding requests to increase
effectiveness and efficiency
Institutional Advancement – Cycle describing annual program scheduled on a monthly basis to help
the endowment to grow. President Miller mentioned the significance of quarterly estate planning
mailings that generate bequests- tend to yield within 5-8 years.
III Alumni Board Treasurers Report
Tammy Antonaitis, Treasurer presented the budget. Some discussion of whether or not to continue
providing Alumni Association with $2500 for Homecoming. Board members agreed to continue so
funding.
IV. Office of Alumni Affairs Report – Amanda Downes
Changes to traditional Homecoming events- breakfast discontinued, some new events (i.e Homecoming
Parade) added.
Online Community –
1. promotion at Homecoming with hands-on demos
2. marketing to launch in Sept. 06
3. targeting for use with Homecoming registration
4. postcard with unique scratch-off for login access
First ever 16 member Parents Council to meet on Family Day, Sept. 06
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V. Breakout Sessions report
Nominating Committee- John Atkins
John commended Board members for attending the August meeting
Nominations for Alumni Board officers discussed but tabled to determine Dan Kimmel’s
eligibility to run for another term. (Decision not to vote for new officers at Homecoming 2006
meeting, but to maintain current officers in position)
Proposed accepting as a new Board member, Jeff Spang- Class of 1975, who resides in
Chicago and has committed to attending Board meetings despite the distance. Discussed
that there are 2 other worthy candidates. Board discussed possibility of increasing Board
membership to 20 to strengthen the Board. Tom Leary motioned to amend the by-laws was
carried unanimously. Jeff Spang was accepted as a current Board candidate, with Richard
Bradley as a contingent candidate.
Scholarship Committee- Jane Mac Donald
Jane requested members to advise whether or not they wanted to serve on this committee
Question- Should Board continue to award scholarships by Academic Department or only by
student qualification no matter from which discipline they come.
Decision: Continue to award one scholarship/discipline.
Still searching for good candidates for Alumni Hall of Fame
Silent Auction
Please commit items by October 1st
Hope to come back in March with more fundraising
Adjournment to Online Community demo/training
Minutes prepared by Lynn Schmid Knable, Secretary