Page 75 - UB Church and Shen Univ
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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
instruction that had been provided in the region, Dorothy Ewing and M. K. Aulick made gifts to enable
the construction of a new Dance Studio for the campus. Immediately, enrollment grew in dance and
another key component of the Conservatory received a boost in reputation and quality of performance.
Many theatre patrons noted the advancement in dance skills with the expansion of the dance program
that had been made possible by the generosity of patrons of the arts.
Capital Campaign, Endowment, and Fund Raising. Enrollment growth along with new dorm
space, new cafeteria space, campus landscaping, a new home for nursing and community arts at the John
Kerr Building, a new business school building, and a new dance studio all increased the confidence of
the trustees and administration to undertake a $10 million-capital campaign for further expansion of
facilities, endowment, and operations. Ashley Robert Tucker, trustee and surgeon, agreed to head the
campaign, along with the consultant help of the Vice-President for Development from the University of
Virginia, Marion Peavy. In a short 2 ½ years, the campaign was successful in raising $10 million, a sum
that had never been attempted in the area. The endowment was a beneficiary of this campaign, and soon
the fund became a new focus in all fundraising to support the long-term financial security of the
institution.
Trustees Bill West, Robert Solenberger, and James Truettner worked hard to grow the
endowment fund, and the College’s leadership had the fund managed at William Blair, Inc., located in
Chicago, in such a fashion that it would grow and become a major benefit for the entire community.
This endowment was part of a strategy to build enough security that the college/conservatory could
begin to dream of preparing a major bond issue to build a new facility for the Conservatory and make
other improvements that would enable Shenandoah to be a more competitive institution of higher
education in the region.
Enrollment now exceeded 1,000 students and the quality of entering students had improved
significantly. Retention of students remained a major challenge, because of the limited number of
majors and the lack of quality athletic, student life, and academic space to compete with the rapidly
growing and well-financed state universities such as James Madison, George Mason, University of
Maryland, and Shepherd College—all of which are less than 2 hours away in four directions. Over the
next 15 years, the endowment grew slowly with many smaller gifts until Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Dunn
generously made a $10 million pledge to the endowment fund and boosted overall fundraising so that
the endowment of the College reached a total of $50 million.
The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges initially excluded Shenandoah from
membership in the private-college fundraising consortium because it had once had junior college
programs as part of its curriculum. Seven former junior colleges in Virginia were excluded from the
fund, and only one former junior college that had grown into Marymount University had been admitted
to membership. After years of lobbying for membership, the Foundation finally admitted Shenandoah in
the early 1990s. This decision was a major benefit to the College, as more than $250,000 annually was
added to gift revenues. Also, membership brought more opportunity for capital fundraising from large
corporations in Virginia and opened regular interaction with corporate leaders from throughout the
Commonwealth for the president. Membership in the VFIC enhanced the image of the College and
opened many doors to additional grants. Likewise, the College worked hard to assist VFIC in its
fundraising and was successful in helping the group obtain endowment gifts and annual support. The
15 member colleges of VFIC are recognized as the strongest independent colleges in Virginia and have
received millions of dollars since the founding of the group.
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 65
instruction that had been provided in the region, Dorothy Ewing and M. K. Aulick made gifts to enable
the construction of a new Dance Studio for the campus. Immediately, enrollment grew in dance and
another key component of the Conservatory received a boost in reputation and quality of performance.
Many theatre patrons noted the advancement in dance skills with the expansion of the dance program
that had been made possible by the generosity of patrons of the arts.
Capital Campaign, Endowment, and Fund Raising. Enrollment growth along with new dorm
space, new cafeteria space, campus landscaping, a new home for nursing and community arts at the John
Kerr Building, a new business school building, and a new dance studio all increased the confidence of
the trustees and administration to undertake a $10 million-capital campaign for further expansion of
facilities, endowment, and operations. Ashley Robert Tucker, trustee and surgeon, agreed to head the
campaign, along with the consultant help of the Vice-President for Development from the University of
Virginia, Marion Peavy. In a short 2 ½ years, the campaign was successful in raising $10 million, a sum
that had never been attempted in the area. The endowment was a beneficiary of this campaign, and soon
the fund became a new focus in all fundraising to support the long-term financial security of the
institution.
Trustees Bill West, Robert Solenberger, and James Truettner worked hard to grow the
endowment fund, and the College’s leadership had the fund managed at William Blair, Inc., located in
Chicago, in such a fashion that it would grow and become a major benefit for the entire community.
This endowment was part of a strategy to build enough security that the college/conservatory could
begin to dream of preparing a major bond issue to build a new facility for the Conservatory and make
other improvements that would enable Shenandoah to be a more competitive institution of higher
education in the region.
Enrollment now exceeded 1,000 students and the quality of entering students had improved
significantly. Retention of students remained a major challenge, because of the limited number of
majors and the lack of quality athletic, student life, and academic space to compete with the rapidly
growing and well-financed state universities such as James Madison, George Mason, University of
Maryland, and Shepherd College—all of which are less than 2 hours away in four directions. Over the
next 15 years, the endowment grew slowly with many smaller gifts until Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Dunn
generously made a $10 million pledge to the endowment fund and boosted overall fundraising so that
the endowment of the College reached a total of $50 million.
The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges initially excluded Shenandoah from
membership in the private-college fundraising consortium because it had once had junior college
programs as part of its curriculum. Seven former junior colleges in Virginia were excluded from the
fund, and only one former junior college that had grown into Marymount University had been admitted
to membership. After years of lobbying for membership, the Foundation finally admitted Shenandoah in
the early 1990s. This decision was a major benefit to the College, as more than $250,000 annually was
added to gift revenues. Also, membership brought more opportunity for capital fundraising from large
corporations in Virginia and opened regular interaction with corporate leaders from throughout the
Commonwealth for the president. Membership in the VFIC enhanced the image of the College and
opened many doors to additional grants. Likewise, the College worked hard to assist VFIC in its
fundraising and was successful in helping the group obtain endowment gifts and annual support. The
15 member colleges of VFIC are recognized as the strongest independent colleges in Virginia and have
received millions of dollars since the founding of the group.
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 65
