Oct. 30, 2004

Morningside launches "This is Our Moment" fundraising campaign

Morningside College unveiled its future plans through the year 2009 and publicly announced its $30-million “This is Our Moment” campaign at a gala evening event Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Neb. To date, Morningside has already secured pledges and cash in excess of $20 million. Morningside President John Reynders said, “Morningside College is poised on the threshold of an exciting future. We’ve worked hard to get where we are today. This is truly our moment: our plan is in place, and the momentum is building. With the support of our alumni and friends, we will make Morningside one of the best private residential colleges in the Midwest.”

According to Reynders, increasing student scholarships, annual support, and the endowment is paramount in the college’s long-range planning. Today nearly all of Morningside’s students receive financial aid.

The overall goals for “This is Our Moment: The Campaign for Morningside College” are as follows:

Planned capital projects include:

· Refurbishing of the George M. Allee Gymnasium, built in 1949, including new roof and windows, new front doors, new lighting on the court, new restrooms, new coaches’ offices, and new heating and air conditioning.

·Completion of the Roberts Stadium project during the summer of 2005; Phase I was completed this past summer.

· Completion of the campus master design plan, including moving parking from the center to the edge of campus, moving the president’s house to campus, and replacing pavement with inviting lawns and benches, creating a new campus mall for outdoor performances and classes.   Possible design for central mall

· Continued technology improvements, including faculty development, student workshops, and infrastructure improvements, to provide the global networking tools that today’s students need. Dr. Lillian Lopéz works with students in the freshman Passport class.

Additionally, construction of the $3.2-million Joan L. and Norman W. Waitt, Sr., Apartments and the Donald E. Poppen Apartments, was completed in August 2003. A $2.5 million gift from The Kind World Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Dakota Dunes, S.D., and established by Norman W. Waitt, Jr., made these apartments possible.

The evening program included the premiere of the video, “This is Our Moment,” produced by G.R. Lindblade and Co. of Sioux City. Architectural drawings included in the video were done by Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates, P.C., also of Sioux City.

Nancy Metz, resident of Dakota Dunes, S.D., and member of the college’s board of directors, organized and led the event. She also serves as chair of the campaign’s Siouxland Business Gifts Committee.

Jim Walker, 1970 Morningside graduate and resident of Wayzata, Minn., serves as chair of the Campaign Steering Committee. Lucy Buhler, 1956 Morningside graduate and resident of Edmonds, Wash.; serves as chair of the Annual Fund Campaign, and Russ Olson, 1976 Morningside graduate and resident of West Des Moines, Iowa, serves as chair of the Alumni Gifts Committee.

Thomas M. Rice, Morningside’s vice president for advancement, leads a development staff of six, including: Fred Erbes, director of gift planning; Brendyn Richards, director of annual fund; Randy Hansen and Kari Bull, regional development officers; Jeanie Dolphin, manager of development services, and Lisa Murphy, administrative assistant.

For more information on “This is Our Moment: The Campaign for Morningside College,” go to Support Morningside or call 712-274-5222.