Lincoln College Unveils Fundraising Campaign
Public Phase Opens with Announcement that College Already Hit 60% of its Goal

 

[August 08, 2017]  LINCOLN -  Lincoln College has unveiled the public phase of its multi-year $8 million “Embracing our Past, Empowering our Future” fundraising campaign by announcing that the College has already raised nearly $4.875 million or 60% of its goal. Helping to achieve that mark was a surprise announcement of two $25,000 gifts by the co-chairmen of the campaign.

The announcement of the contributions from John Blackburn, former President of Lincoln College and Jack Sparacio, a 1963 graduate of the College, came at the close of a kickoff reception Thursday, July 28.

“This was a fantastic way to begin the public phase of our Campaign for Lincoln College and I take it as a great sign that we are well on our way of reaching, and I hope, surpassing our goal,” said Lincoln College President David Gerlach. “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the positive response we have received during the ‘quiet’ phase and we look forward to the next steps, which will allow us to share future good news with the public as we progress toward our goal.”

To kick off the latest phase of the campaign, Lincoln College held a reception on campus July 27 to brief donors and friends of the College on the early results and set the stage for the next phase. It was at the close of that reception and briefing that Blackburn and Sparacio surprised those in attendance by announcing that each is contributing an additional $25,000 to the Campaign, over and above generous past contributions to the College.

Campaign co-chair Blackburn served as the 21st President of Lincoln College from 2012 to 2015. Prior to becoming President, he had a thirty-year career with COUNTRY Financial including 11 years as its CEO. Blackburn is also a member of the Lincoln College Board of Trustees.

Campaign co-chair Sparacio of Carlsbad, Calif., has had a distinguished career in the medical products industry; plastics engineering and development; and ultrasound technology, including serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of SonoSite, Inc., before his retirement. He is also a Lincoln College Trustee.

The aggressive fundraising will position Lincoln College for further growth as the College returns to its roots as a four-year degree granting institution, while at the same time continuing its longstanding commitment to offer two-year degrees to students who find that a four-year college career does not meet their needs.

One of the highlights of the kickoff reception was the premiere of a special video that summarizes the impact that Lincoln College has on students and the community at large. It can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/227768248.

Although college enrollment in general, and small college enrollment in particular, has been declining in recent years, Lincoln College has been bucking the trend, showing consistent growth over the past several years, particularly since the announcement of the return to a four-year curriculum.

Major projects underway at Lincoln College include the restoration of historic University Hall, the original building that housed Lincoln University when it was launched in 1865. The multi-million-dollar project will allow the building to once again be used for classroom space and offices. This summer the college also undertook the renovation of a nearby apartment complex into dormitory suites for upperclassmen.

There are a range of future projects planned, including improvements at the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts, the Scully Natatorium, residence hall upgrades and new science and computer lab equipment.

[Mark Gordon
Public Relations and Media Manager
Lincoln College]