Fort Valley State University News October 6, 2010 FVSU's class of 1970 collects $101,000 for scholarships Electrifying is the word that describes the atmosphere in room 110 of the Pettigrew Center as members of Fort Valley State University's class of 1970 assembled to present a scholarship contribution to President Larry Rivers. The announcement came after Saturday's homecoming parade as 80 alums, their spouses, several class of 1957 and 1969 alums and administrators waited for the unveiling of an oversized check. Standing up front and center was the class president, Ed Boston, flanked by FVSU Foundation Board Chairman Calvin Smyre and Dr. and Mrs. Rivers. "This class has always been progressive and trailblazers who make history. Here's an example of it. From the class of 1970 we're happy to present our scholarship check in the amount of $101,000," said Boston, holding the check high. Before he completed the sentence shouts, screams, handclaps and dancing erupted according to an emotional Ora James Williams during an interview. "I had an out of body experience! I cried and cried and cried," the Lizella resident said describing the scene. Williams retired after 37 years as a federal employee. The donation represents the largest amount an FVSU graduating class has given to mark their 40th reunion. "We were called progressive leaders in school," said Boston who retired from Mars, Incorporated after nearly 25 years. "I knew this make history and demonstrate our commitment of time, experience and resources to FVSU furthering our legacy of leadership." The idea to present a six-figure check to FVSU took shape at the 25th anniversary class meeting in 1995 held in the same room at the Pettigrew Center. The fund started with a $100 donation, then money trickled in totaling $12,000. But in the 12-month run up to the 2010 homecoming, a core group of four alums that included Williams, Boston, Dorothy Weston Pittard and Bern Anderson jumpstarted a major push for contributions. "We didn't buy visors or tee shirts. Instead, we wanted the money earmarked for scholarships," said Boston. The small fundraising team obtained a list of 182 alums, divided it evenly; mailed out letters, then followed up with several telephone calls. They culled a longer, more accurate contact list through their grassroots campaign. Dr. Esco Hall, a veterinarian for 37 years from Baxley, Ga., received a letter and got a nudge from Boston about the donation deadline at a tailgate party three weeks ago. Hall contributed twice, for himself and his deceased wife, Jaqueline, the former class secretary. "I should've donated a long time ago," Hall said. "I'm so happy we made our goal." Pledges and checks in increments of $1,000 flowed in; but the lion's share of contributions came in amounts of $100 to $200. "Someone helped us along the way. Most of us were first time college graduates in our families," said Williams, describing the impetus that led her to make the scholarship project a priority over other volunteer work. "I received a good foundation at Fort Valley," said Pittard of Annandale, Va., who retired from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services after 35 years. "The classes were small. I got a very good education that I could take anywhere." Pittard made 75 calls to classmates on her list. "I called and sometimes had thirty minute conversations," she said. "The calls added that personal touch, to let people know we were serious and cared about their participation." Additional contributions from classmates are still streaming in according to FVSU's foundation director, Leitra Maxwell, who says in the next three to four months, the final tally may exceed proceeds collected from the university's largest annual event, the Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon held in February. After the final count, the group plans to meet with officers of FVSU's National Alumni Association, Inc. to share their fundraising model so that alumni chapters around the country can produce the same results. "We're ready to donate another $100,000 to Fort Valley," said Anderson, a first generation college graduate from Sandersville, Ga. and a retired principal, who spent 35 years with the Washington County school system. "FVSU prepared me for a wonderful career. I'll never forget that." The excitement generated by the success of FVSU's 1970 alums has sparked the team to set a new cumulative goal: $500,000 by 2020. If the recent campaign is any indication of their ability to keep a promise, then the university can expect another windfall. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org www.hbculibraries.org 404.592.4820 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/meeting-form.html for the October 24-26, 2010 HBCU Library Alliance 4th Membership Meeting and the "Conference on Advocacy" pre-conference in Montgomery, AL. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.