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Winter 2004 | Volume 26, Number 5 | Campaign | |||||
| Circle of Influence Grows Nearly 4,000 New Donors Support The Campaign for SPU GLENDA AND SHAUN ELLINGSON are a hardworking young married couple devoted to each other, their jobs at Seattle Pacific University and their education.
Because the Ellingsons have a concern for married students who struggle financially, they established a scholarship last year that benefits a married student who works at least 20 hours a week and carries a full-time academic load. This year, they are in the process of establishing an endowment that will create even more scholarship help for married students. “We don’t have any hidden income,” says Glenda, who manages more than $12 million in federal, state and institutional grants and scholarships for students. “We just understand the challenges of being married while trying to complete your education. We realize that a little gift from us through payroll deduction, along with the gifts of many others, can make a tremendous impact in the lives of students.” The generous couple joins nearly 4,000 people who have made first-time gifts to SPU during the life of The Campaign for Seattle Pacific University. Some, like the Ellingsons, are young alumni who have graduated within the last 10 years. “As a group of donors, they are really coming on strong,” says Vice President for University Advancement Bob McIntosh. “We are grateful for those who start early right out of school and give consistently thereafter. They broaden our alumni support base, and that is absolutely critical to being a premier university.” Another large subset of new donors includes people with no previous connection to Seattle Pacific, who gave to The Campaign because they found the University’s vision to engage the culture and change the world compelling. “I’ve seen SPU’s vision in action,” says Phil Pletcher. His first encounter with Seattle Pacific came through friend and SPU staff member Mark Miles. Together, they developed a mountain-climbing program for The Society of Fellows, and Pletcher was drawn to the graduates he met on expeditions to the summits of Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. “Eight people on the team had graduated within the past five years, and they truly are people of competence and character grounded in the Christian faith,” says Pletcher. “They’re exciting to be around. I was 100 percent convicted to give back to the University that allowed me to develop the program and those relationships.” In fact, he was so impressed that he applied to become assistant director of research and grants at Seattle Pacific. His new job began in February. President Philip Eaton says that many new givers to The Campaign have come through such personal contacts. “Many of these acquaintances are drawn to SPU’s vision,” he explains. “They, too, are people who see a world of significant opportunity and great need. When a potential donor’s vision syncs with ours, we can form a rewarding partnership to make a real difference in the world. It’s magic.” — BY CLINT KELLY — PHOTO BY JOHN KEATLEY |
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