by Sudie Eisenbarth

EDITOR’S NOTE: Why do people give to one cause rather than another?

Many donors offer unsolicited stories, testimonials, experiences and insights into the reasons behind their gifts.

There are many reasons people make gifts to Berea College, and a single story can not begin to cover all of the interesting notes and explanations people write and enclose with the donations they send to the College’s development office.

Many of the quotes used in this article are from personal letters, and many of the letter writers are now deceased. For that reason, we did not feel we could use names unless we were able to contact family members. And, in many instances, finding family members would be a difficult task.

With the help of several members of the development staff, College Director of Communications Sudie Eisenbarth spent time researching the records for answers to the question, "Why do people give to Berea College?" Here are a few of the answers she found.

Berea major gifts officers travel throughout the country meeting with many alumni and friends of Berea to help raise awareness of and financial support for the College. Major gifts officers include (left to right) Brad Crain, ’65, Shirley Druggan, Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development Rod Bussey, ’63, Cheyenne Oldham, Bill Laramee, Larry Pelfrey, ’85, Debra Johnson, Tom Arnold, ’75 and Jackie Collier Ballinger, ’80.

Berea has been fortunate to have many caring and giving alumni and friends. Since its founding in 1855, Berea has benefited from the financial support of thousands of individuals.

As a result of this support, Berea has been able to provide an extraordinary liberal arts education to thousands of students who otherwise could not afford one. These donors truly have made a difference.

Vice President for Alumni Relations and Development Rod Bussey leads Berea’s team of professionals who help to raise the awareness of and financial support for the College.

"It is a real joy to have a job where my life intersects with so many wonderful people who believe in the College," said Bussey. "People give to causes, organizations and institutions for many different reasons, and it is always interesting to learn why they make a gift."

College Mission

Identifying with an institution’s cause or with its philosophy is the reason offered by one woman for her gift to the College following the death of her husband.

"During the ’50s, my husband and I visited your school several times and we were greatly impressed that the young people had the opportunity of receiving an education. The working plan, at that time, was wonderful."

Along this same theme, another donor was a little more specific, singling out Berea’s commitment to "learning, labor and service."

"I congratulate you, the college staff and students, for keeping the Berea themes of "learning, labor and service" alive and well. It seems that labor and service have too long been neglected."

Boone Tavern Visits and College Tours

When people pass through Berea, they often visit the College and stay overnight at Boone Tavern Hotel. The Tavern provides a gateway for people to learn more about the College.

Often, the impressions made by the people overnight guests meet during their stay at the Tavern - and on tours of the College - are mentioned in letters that accompany gifts.

A retired college professor was on a trip through Kentucky and Tennessee with his family. The group stopped in Berea and later the College received a gift and letter.

"I am interested in helping better Appalachia. I first noted the excellent environment of Berea in a stop for lunch at Boone Tavern and a consequent tour of the college. Please use the enclosed check to forward your very succinct and well-stated objectives."

Another man sent more than 500 shares of stock in memory of his wife. His positive experiences with the student staff at Boone Tavern seem to be the primary reason for the gift.

"My first wife and I stopped at Berea many times both for meals and overnight stays. We were always so impressed by the student staff and their various assignments that we hoped one day we could contribute to the college."

In Memory

Some donors choose to give to honor the memory of a loved one. Because of her mother’s tremendous interest in education, one donor established a memorial fund in her name.

"Because I know the reputation of Berea College for providing quality education for a large number of students ... I have chosen this college to further my mother’s interest (by providing) ... financial incentive and opportunity ... I wish the college to use whatever is left of my estate in her honor."

In another instance, several family members combined their available resources to establish a scholarship recognizing their aunt.

"(This gift is) ... to honor an outstanding Christian woman, of whom we are very proud. This award should go to a worthy or needy student because Berea College has always stressed the dignity of work."

Former Employees

Few know and understand the importance of Berea’s mission to provide educational opportunities for deserving young people better than former faculty and staff members.

A member of the faculty during the 1940s, who left to take a position at another college, still felt a commitment to help support Berea.

"The most difficult decision I ever made was to leave your great institution to accept a position at (another) university. This year, we have some extra funds and are pleased to enclose a check."

Another former faculty member also fondly remembered his or her years at Berea and continued to contribute even after leaving the College.

"The three years and three months that I taught at Berea were the most satisfying of my career. I have been making contributions each year since... (and)… will continue."

Friends

Sometimes people were influenced by "the Berea experience" even though they never attended the College. A couple from Minnesota enclosed this note with their gift.

"I did not go to Berea and neither did anyone in my family. But my father and mother were dear friends of William Hutchins. It is in their memory that I’d like to do what little I can toward helping what seems to me to be the best college in the country."

Traditionally, Americans express their concern and support for others through contributions focused on education. Gifts to education are often seen as the most effective way for an individual to make an impact.

Bussey said that at Berea, approximately 67 percent of all individual gifts are less than $100, but no matter what its size, every gift has an impact.

" I want to thank them all," said Bussey. "All gifts are important – people make them because they want to help the College fulfill its mission."