| NOVEMBER 2002 |
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Home Page features a series of brief articles on recent happenings at Colorado College. This issue includes stories on Earle Flagpole's new look, a new $7.9 million grant, the men's soccer and hockey teams, and what CC alumni have put on the bookshelf.CC's Earle Flagpole Gets New Look
Colorado College's Earle Flagpole has a new look. During Homecoming
Weekend, the college inducted charter members of the new William
Jackson Palmer Founders Society. Names of the society's members,
whose lifetime gifts to the college total $1 million or more,
were inscribed on the flagpole's new granite base.The Colorado College trustees created the Palmer Society in 2001 to pay lasting tribute to CC's great benefactors. William Jackson Palmer, the society's namesake, founded Colorado Springs and was CC's first major benefactor, donating much of the land on which the college stands.
The Earle Flagpole has long captured the hearts of students at Colorado College. Each generation of students has a story about the flagpole, from those of the 1940s who claim its tigers whistled at "innocent maidens," to the student activists who rallied for social change at its base in the 1960s and 1970s.
In addition to making the Earle Flagpole more functional for
student use, the renovations give the college a perfect opportunity
to publicly honor those who have built today's college and whose
generous financial contributions have sustained and transformed
the college throughout its history.Click here to find out more about the flagpole, as well as other photos from Homecoming 2002.
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College Receives Historic $7.9 Million Grant
By Anne Hatch
The first paragraph of his letter read "…we are pleased to advise
you that…our trustees have approved a grant to Colorado College
in the total amount of $7,921,000." Just a few months ago Colorado
College received nearly $8 million, the second-largest grant
in college history. But who would give such a gift to the college
and why? Certainly somebody with deep connections to the school
would make such a gesture, somebody who has a life-long commitment
to a strong liberal arts and sciences college in the Rocky Mountain
region. Then again, maybe not. Before last year Robert T. Priddy did not know Colorado College existed. In fact, Priddy spent virtually his entire life in Wichita Falls, Texas, and made his fortune in the oil drilling business. Now, however, at 84, he is devoting his considerable energy, passion, and business acumen to giving away the fortune that he made. Along with his wife, he created the Robert and Ruby Priddy Charitable Trust with all of the funds to be distributed by 2015.
Why not create a foundation to last in perpetuity? Because he was convinced that he and his advisors "could do a better job" of finding appropriate uses for the money during his lifetime than someone else could do later on.
The first step for the trust, however, was to find deserving institutions where his gifts would have the greatest impact. Following his business model for philanthropy, the trust hired a consultant to help them learn about the field of education. After studying the field, the group then decided that small liberal arts and sciences colleges would be the first types of institutions to benefit from Priddy's vision for effective philanthropy.
So, then to the competition. The trust hired five more consultants with intimate knowledge of liberal arts and sciences colleges to help Priddy and his trustees compile a list of 19 schools invited to submit grant proposals, with the idea of awarding up to three schools a grant of $10 million each.
But how to decide? First, they looked for schools that they felt had focused, realistic goals, and good management by school trustees, faculty, and administrators. Then, after narrowing the field to six schools in the South and Southwest - Austin College, Colorado College, Hendrix College, Rhodes College, Southwestern University, and Trinity University - the trustees visited each one for an entire day. (Ultimately they decided to give less money to all six qualified institutions rather than exclude schools that would make good use of the funds.) The trustees said they hoped their gifts to these six colleges in the Southwest would help promote all colleges in the Southwest.
Their visit to Colorado College confirmed what the trustees had hoped: Colorado College was a school that could deliver. The facilities were excellent and the school's management and ability to function with faculty were impressive. Even though President Kathryn Mohrman had announced her resignation and no successor had been named, the trustees were convinced of the strength of the school.
Despite the fact that none of the trustees or their families had attended Colorado College, they have become passionate about the college and its mission. Priddy said, "As outsiders, we looked at [Colorado College] and got so excited about it that we decided to give it $8 million. If we got so excited about it, then those who are close to it should be really excited about it."
The college is indeed really excited about it. The $7.9 million grant from the trust will promote a liberal arts and sciences education, underpin a rigorous academic program, and provide a challenge grant for endowment of scholarships for middle-income families.
Mark Hatch, dean of admission and financial aid, believes "This grant will allow the college to focus on student engagement and success." While the college is proud of its geographic diversity, drawing from 50 states and more than 25 foreign countries, Colorado College has ambitions to attract a more talented and diverse incoming class in an ever more competitive market. The grant will allow the admission office to enroll even more of the "best and brightest" from its own backyard: the five southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma.
In addition to opening the pipeline to a liberal arts education, the grant will help support students once they reach Colorado College. Plans to enrich new student orientation will help students connect to the college in more significant ways from the beginning; early placement testing will ensure that students fill in any gaps in learning before they become overwhelmed by the academic workload. The Colket Student Learning Center will soon house the writing center as well as quantitative assistance and peer tutoring for students who need extra help. By integrating such a support system into the heart of campus, Colorado College hopes to improve student success and graduation rates.
The final component of the grant is perhaps the most challenging aspect. If the college keeps its pledge to raise $9 million over the next eight years, the Priddy Trust will match this with $3 million to add to the endowment for scholarships to students from middle-income families.
Small class size, a rigorous curriculum, the Block Plan, and the Rockies in its backyard are just a few aspects that make Colorado College stand out from its peers. The Priddy trustees' enthusiastic support will provide a liberal arts education to some outstanding students who never would have considered the possibility before the generosity of another made it possible. As Colorado College begins to tackle the challenge grant, it will rely on alumni, students, and everyone who believes in a liberal arts and sciences education to help share the wealth with others.
And the college will be very judicious in the use of the funds. One member of the senior staff at Colorado College vividly recalls the wit and ethics of Robert T. Priddy on the day that Priddy and his board visited. Having just flown in for the day, the visiting group was asked why they opted not to spend the night in Colorado Springs. Stating that one of his associates has suggested they stay at a local five-star resort, Priddy responded, "If we did that then we wouldn't have any money to give Colorado College."
The college is delighted that he chose to invest his time and funds as he did.
First Priddy College Grant
A major portion of the Robert and Ruby Priddy Trust grant is in the form of a challenge to Colorado College. The trust will provide $3 million in endowment funds for financial aid for middle-income students if the college can raise $9 million in matching funds. This program will provide $12,500 in aid per student, per year for those families who face the challenge of not having large personal incomes or qualifying for substantial amounts of financial aid.This challenge received its first major boost soon after it was announced. An anonymous college trustee and past parent has given a $600,000 gift that will match the Priddy challenge. The gift is in honor of former college President Kathryn Mohrman and those who receive scholarships through it will be known as Mohrman Scholars.
"We are going to have a substantial challenge ahead of us," said Don Wilson, vice president for alumni, development, and college relations. "It is not a cakewalk to raise $9 million in four years for financial aid. This generous gift of the Mohrman Scholars, however, gets us off to a running start and is a good indication of the importance that our alumni and friends put on financial aid."
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Seniors lead men's soccer to NCAA's playoffs
By Dave ReedThe Colorado College men's soccer team enjoyed one of the best seasons in the program's 40-year history, thanks largely to the outstanding play of its eight-member senior class. Led by co-captains Sean McGinnis and Martin Quinn, and goaltender Jon Holdorf, the Tigers qualified for their third NCAA Division III playoff berth in the last four years and their 15th overall.
The Tigers took a 15-5 record into their Nov. 16 tournament loss (4-1) to Trinity University, the same team that eliminated them from post-season play a year earlier. While 10 seasons have passed since CC finished 18-2-2 and advanced to the national semifinals in 1992, Coach Horst Richardson saw the potential for similar success in 2002. Richardson was further encouraged when his team won six consecutive games late in the regular season and was rewarded with a No. 4 West Region by the NCAA.
Sean McGinnis, who led the Tiger offense with 18 goals and 41 points heading into the playoffs, scored the game-winner in six of CC's first 15 victories. With 37 career tallies, he had a shot at climbing into the top 10 on the school's all-time scoring chart.
Quinn, who made a remarkable recovery from off-season surgery, had three goals and nine assists through 20 outings. He has played in every game during his four seasons as a Tiger.
Holdorf, now in his second season as the starting goaltender, took a 1.17 goals-against average and a .814 saves percentage into the NCAA tournament. He had posted three shutouts this season and six in his career.
The other members of CC's senior class are Jake Lambert, H.C. Martensen, Gem McLaughlin, Brian Svigel, and Kyle Marshall.
With key late-season victories against Cal State Hayward, SUNY-Potsdam, and Chapman, the Tigers earned a first-round bye in the playoffs, advancing directly to their regional semifinal vs. Trinity in Redlands, Calif.
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On the Bookshelf
Of Cats and Menby Nina de Gramont ’88
Enigmatic cats deftly prowl their way through this debut collection of 10 short stories. These finely crafted felines expose the hidden fears and passions of the female heart, and illuminate the profound truths of men and love. ISBN: 0385335032. Published by Delta, 2001.
Confessions of a Movie Addict
by Betty Jo Tucker ’58
An amusing life-at-the-movies memoir chronicling a love affair with movies that has lasted more than 60 years. Included are personal anecdotes featuring movie stars and directors, a compendium of books and Web sites for movie fans and more than 70 of the author’s reviews of films released during 2000 and 2001. ISBN: 1587360853. Published by Hats Off Books, 2001.
European Menu Translator
by Anne Trostel Galbraith ’57 and Whitney Galbraith
A pocket-size guide that helps English-speaking epicures navigate menus in French, Italian, German, and Spanish. The guide includes more than 1,000 words in each language. ISBN: 0967959144. Published by Creative Minds Press, 2002.
The Beryl E. Bean series
by Heidi Pesky Worcester ’84 and Ricki Stern
The intrepid Beryl E. Bean, who lives in New York City but loves to travel and has “a list of places to visit that’s as long as a piece of Strawberry Delicious Bubble Gum stretched as thin as dental floss,” takes young readers on a series of adventures. The authors, who are cousins, collaborated via the Internet to create this spirited female role model. Ages 7-9. Mighty Adventurer of the Planet ISBN: 0064421201. Expedition Sleepaway Camp ISBN: 006442121X. Both published by HarperTrophy, 2002.
Travel Guide: Chile Experience
by Josh Howell ’95
A highly informative guide to Chile, and includes everything from multi-day bike tours in Patagonia to recipes for Chilean national foods. The book highlights the diversity and natural beauty of this mountainous, narrow country between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. ISBN: 956-7264-79-1. Published by Turiscom SA, 2001.
The Sacred Flight of the Teenager: A Parent’s Guide to Stepping Back and Letting Go
by Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski ’73
A practical guide that focuses on nurturing a teen’s confidence, while maintaining parental sanity. This book helps parents deal compassionately with the everyday problems of raising teenagers. ISBN: 0967781728. Published by Book Ends Publishing, 2002.
Web Thinking: Connecting, Not Competing for Success
by Linda Seger ’67
The author promotes an interconnected way of viewing community, teamwork, and success and advocates replacing linear thinking with inclusive, Web-like thinking. ISBN: 1930722087. Published by Inner Ocean Publishers, 2002.
Basho and the Fox
by Timothy Myers ’75
An original fable spun around Japan’s famous haiku poet, Basho, this story highlights the anxiety, frustration, and difficulty of the creative process as Basho tries to come up with a haiku that will satisfy a sly fox. Ages 5-8. ISBN: 0761450688. Published by Marshall Cavendish Corp., 2000.
Last Trout in Venice: The Far-Flung Escapades of Accidental Adventurer
by Doug Lansky ’92
The book’s title comes from the author’s failed attempt to master a gondola in Venice – and the greenhorn gondolier ends up swimming in a canal. This roaming traveler chronicles his global adventures with self-deprecating humor. ISBN: 1885211635. Published by Travelers’ Tales Inc., 2001.
America: A Patriotic Primer
by Lynne Cheney '63
This beautifully illustrated A to Z of America provides a succinct history of the United States that children and families will enjoy. ISBN: 0689851928. Published by Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers, 2002.
Writing American Indian Music: Historic Transcriptions, Notations, and Arrangements
by Victoria Lindsay Levine; professor of music
Volume 11 of the 40-volume series explores the history of musical contact, interaction, and exchange between American Indians and European Americans. The book is the result of 10 years of work on the part of the author. ISBN: 0895794942. Published by A-R Editions, 2002.
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