Development Reports

Demonstrations of Commitment
Angela Matthews, Director of Development

Giving to Plymouth State University in 2006 was highlighted by tributes, memorials, a celebration of the arts and, for the second year in a row, gifts and grants that topped the million-dollar mark. Gifts totaled $1,001,902 with 46 percent ($463,650) coming from PSU alumni. Friends, faculty and staff contributed another $381,230 or 38 percent.    

Retiring President Donald P. Wharton was honored by the PSU President’s Council with the creation of the Donald P. Wharton Endowment to enhance the first-year experience. Funds will be used by the College of University Studies to assist deciding students in selecting a major. A gift from the estate of Todd Trevorrow, the late director of library services, will support a graduate fellow for university archives and special collections. In the winter of 2005 the Lamson Tower Room was named for Trevorrow, who was a beloved member of the PSU community; the new endowment was announced and celebrated.

PSU also mourned the loss of Michelle Morse ’05 whose family established an endowment in her memory to support students majoring in childhood studies. Prior to her untimely death in the fall of 2005, Michelle was lobbying the New Hampshire legislature on behalf of all college-age students suffering catastrophic illness. The legislation, signed by Governor John Lynch in July 2006 and known as Michelle’s Law, has become a national model that is being adopted by states across the country.    

Dick Hanaway, Plymouth businessman and long-time supporter of the Silver Center for the Arts, established the Dick and Betty Hanaway Endowment to support programs of the Silver Series. Avid bicyclists and climbers, the Hanaways have scaled the highest peaks on four of the five continents and pedaled their bikes across the country—both north-and-south and east-and-west. Their lives flow from a simple philosophy—if you live life by intent and commitment, things begin to work. Their intent for the Silver Center is to maintain the highest quality of programming; the endowment will support that goal. “It pleases me to see audiences in the Hanaway Theatre and to know that I had something to do with making this possible,” Hanaway said.   

In May, Michael J. Spinelli Jr. ’68 was awarded the Richard E. Collins Philanthropy Medal. He is founder and president of Spinelli Companies, Inc., a commercial and industrial development company in Dover, N.H. The company also owns and operates a number of movie theaters in New Hampshire, including one in Plymouth. Most Spinelli cinemas are located in the heart of town, bringing life back to Main Street, and saving and restoring historic buildings for their original use. In 2001, he was one of four alumni who assisted with the task of establishing the first Plymouth State University President’s Council, whose sole purpose would be to raise funds and build permanent endowment. His extraordinary generosity and his loyalty and dedication to Plymouth State University are a fine example to all and worthy of recognition as the 2006 Collins Medalist.    

Scott Biederman ’75 approached athletic director John P. Clark with the idea of making some improvements to the soccer field last fall. Clark approved the plan and PSU kicked off the Silver and Gold campaign for men’s and women’s soccer, which raised over $50,000; this was matched by $25,000 in institutional funds. The campaign resulted in new permanent goals, team and official shelters, a sound system, and an upgrade to the dimensions of the field. “We couldn’t have succeeded with this campaign without Scott’s energy and commitment,” said Clark. “It will be exciting for our men’s and women’s teams to open the season in this new playing environment.” Clark summed it up nicely. Fund raising success is dependent upon an effective partnership with volunteers and the generosity of donors. PSU is blessed with both.

Heritage Society
Early in the 1990s, Plymouth State established the Heritage Society to honor and engage alumni and friends who have included or wish to include the University in their estate plans. Joan Cook ’69 is chair of the President’s Council committee of volunteers that oversees planning and programs for the Heritage Society. The other committee members are Randy Haas ’74, Steve Gesing ’73, Roger Babin ’74 and Suzanne Fitzgerald Dunson ’95. “We correspond with members, offer ideas for deferred giving, and host an annual brunch in the spring,” says Cook. “Two years ago we established the Heritage Society Endowment thanks to a bequest from Harriet Harmon Miller ’33. The endowment, which supports the Tower Fund, accepts gifts of any size and is a wonderful way to permanently fund one’s annual gift to PSU.”    

PSU friend Bertha Fauver established a charitable gift annuity last year that will eventually help fund the activities of the Center for the Environment. “It’s good to know now that the balance of this annuity will eventually go to supporting the environment, something I care deeply about,” she said. Until then, the annuity provides her with a stable source of income.     

For more information about the Heritage Society, gift annuities or other deferred giving tools, contact Angela Matthews the PSU Office of Institutional Advancement at (603) 535-2212.