LET'S MEET THE BUILDER FUND GOAL!
Anonymous benefactors have offered $250,000 of matching gifts in support of the Builder Fund. The donors are hopeful that their investment will encourage additional giving as Southwestern College approaches the fiscal year-end.
Together we can raise $300,000 to support the Builder Fund before June 30
The college has set a goal to raise $1.5 million for the Builder Fund in this fiscal year. Presently, with the support of generous donors, over $1.2 million has been raised to support the Builder Fund in the '23-'24 year. Meeting the goal of this generous match will advance our effort to close the gap to fund critical year-end needs.
It will take all of us to hasten the pace of progress at Southwestern College
Indeed, there is much progress to celebrate and much good work underway... For the future, President Liz along with faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees have crafted a bold five-year strategic plan while maintaining balanced budgets. This plan will continue the growth in our enrollment and further improve the student retention rate, which has seen good improvement over the past 18 months, but as is outlined in the plan there is still much ground to cover. As part of the plan, SC will also reestablish its Nursing Program and is now in the provisional pathway to launch a Master of Science Physician Assistant (Physician Associate) Program in Winfield. Additionally, since July 2022, SC has added four new undergraduate majors (including construction management and agribusiness in partnership with Cowley College), three Professional Studies programs, an Honors Program, and a women’s flag football team. The college is also taking on facility improvement projects across campus, advancing the construction of The Bruce DeHaven Football Complex and in partnership with food service provider, Fresh Ideas, is making extensive renovations to Smith Student Center this summer. All of this effort is focused on strengthening Southwestern College in ways that will better attract and support the Builders of today and tomorrow.
To be successful, our strategic plan calls for increased support
This is an inflection point for our college and the support of alumni, community, and friends is pivotal. Gifts to the Builder Fund are unrestricted, they can be used at the discretion of the Board of Trustees to invest in institutional opportunities that will support the student experience and will build operational strength, as outlined by the institutional strategic plan. The college will become stronger by the participation of alumni and friends, contributions of all sizes have a direct impact on the future of Southwestern College.
IF YOU PREFER TO MAIL OR DELIVER YOUR GIFT (We'd love to see you at the Alumni House!)
Please write Step Up for SC on the memo line of the check and mail or deliver to:
Southwestern College
c/o Office of Institutional Advancement
100 College Street
Winfield, KS 67156
Donation Challenge
$100,000 if $33,000 is donated in the next 4 months
Challenge Complete!
Offered by Guardians of The 77
Donation Match
$100 per donor up to $5,000
Match Complete!
Offered by Anonymous
Donation Match
$1 per $1 donated up to $150,000
Match Complete!
Offered by Anonymous
The letter to the editor below was published in the Cowley Courier Traveler newspaper on Thursday, June 20....
Dear Editor,
As a group, we represent the most local trustees serving as volunteers on the Southwestern College Board of Trustees. As the college has completed another academic year and is preparing for the return of students and the arrival of a new class of Moundbuilders in August, we simply write to express our support for Southwestern and to highlight its indispensable role in our community – a fixture since 1885.
While larger universities often dominate discussions about higher education, it is crucial to recognize the unique and profound contributions of institutions like Southwestern College, particularly in the context of Winfield and Cowley County. The college, under the leadership of President Liz Frombgen, has been urgently confronting challenges and making bold, strategic, and often difficult decisions to put the college on a path to sustainable growth. This work has included a data-driven approach to inform work around retention, program realignment, and operational discipline. Certainly, some decisions have stirred attention and anxiety, but continuing the status quo would have had far greater consequences for the college and our community. With all of this in mind, we write to remind you of the importance of Southwestern College.
Southwestern College provides a personalized and holistic education that fosters critical thinking, creativity, service, and intellectual curiosity. Students benefit from a faculty and staff who support and challenge them. This educational environment prepares students for professional success but also cultivates responsible, thoughtful citizens – who we hope will choose Winfield again as they begin their careers – becoming teachers, doctors, pastors, nurses, lawyers, and business leaders who will serve our community into the future. These young people are our future neighbors, they are our best succession plan. In fact, three of Winfield’s doctors are Southwestern graduates.
Moreover, Southwestern College serves as a cultural and intellectual hub for our community. The college frequently hosts public lectures, performances, athletic competitions, camps, and conferences that enrich the cultural fabric of our town. These events offer residents opportunities for lifelong learning and cultural engagement.
The economic impact of Southwestern College cannot be overstated. The college is a significant local employer, providing jobs for faculty and staff – it also maintains contracts for maintenance and food service personnel. Additionally, students, faculty, and visitors contribute to the local economy through housing, dining, and shopping. The presence of the college attracts businesses and fosters an environment of growth and vitality. And, here we would add that there is a renewed commitment on the part of the college to be a more significant participant and partner in the strength of our region. We have witnessed first-hand the commitment President Liz has to create economic synergy and growth in Cowley County through program development and strategic partnerships.
Furthermore, the college's community service initiatives and partnerships with local organizations enhance the quality of life in our town. Students and faculty actively engage in volunteer work and educational outreach, addressing local needs and contributing to the common good. These efforts not only benefit those directly involved but also strengthen the bonds between the college and the community.
Southwestern College exemplifies the ideals of higher learning, civic engagement, and community spirit. Its continued success is vital not just for its students but for the well-being and prosperity of our entire community.
We urge our friends and neighbors to support Southwestern College in recognition of its enduring importance as a cornerstone of our community. Please consider making a gift in support of the Builder Fund which directly benefits the experience of students and helps strengthen the college in countless ways. There is an active matching gift challenge open until June 30… Visit www.sckans.edu/buildermatch to learn more or call 620-229-6397.
Equally important though, as students return, please be a Southwestern supporter. Attend games and performances, cheer these young people on, welcome them to our community, and show them kindness. Put a Builder Pride sign in your yard and wear SC apparel – be a fan of the Moundbuilders. Their success is OUR success. Your support of Southwestern College truly does make all the difference – the students, faculty, and staff all feel your care.
As we look forward to the 140th academic year at Southwestern College we invite you to be a part of the effort to preserve and grow an institution that means so much to our community. Let’s not take SC for granted.
Signed by the Trustees of Southwestern College from Winfield –
Susan Andrews
John Baker
Laura Buterbaugh Bradbury
Dr. Bryan Dennett
Cory Helmer
Dr. Daniel Miller
Our friend, Dave Galliart '69 stopped by to celebrate his 77th Birthday by climbing the 77 steps today – and by making a gift to the Builder Fund! "My birthday wish this year is for folks to support Southwestern by giving to the Builder Fund!"
THANKS, DAVE!
AND Happy Happy Birthday, Builder!
In addition to the current matching gifts… The GUARDIANS OF THE 77* have issued a CHALLENGE: if we raise another $33,000 for the Builder Fund before July 1, a $100,000 GIFT will be made to kickstart our Builder Fund effort in the new fiscal/academic year.
Give NOW to help us meet our goal in this
fiscal year and at the same time help us get rolling toward our goal for the
NEW fiscal/academic year. This is an incredible way to support the good work and important progress here on campus to strengthen the student experience.
So not only will the impact of your gift be doubled by the match, but it will help us get closer to UNLOCKING a new $100,000 for the Builder Fund to launch us into the new academic year.
*The Guardians of The 77 is an intergalactic group of future Southwestern graduates who time-traveled back to 2024 to help ensure that Southwestern College persevered through difficult times, as these future graduates were essential to saving the galaxy from the forces of evil ..."
“You're right...we're family. We leave no one behind.”- Drax, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2