Issue Number 5
January 2008

In this Issue

	Pulitzer Prize Winning Alum
	Ferguson Center Dedication Set
	MHC Receives Generous Gifts
	Alum of the Month
	World's Worst Jokes
	And much more

Pulitzer Prize Winner Gene Roberts '52 Gives Commencement Address

"Everything is different and yet everything is the same," Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Gene Roberts told graduates at Mars Hill College's December 14 commencement, drawing comparisons between today's political and economic situations and those of the world when he graduated from Mars Hill in 1952. "Problems are everywhere," he said. "But so is opportunity. What do you do? You plunge in. And have confidence in the future of our country. It is an astoundingly resilient nation....We have a long history in America of correcting our course when we stray from our beliefs. We did it on women's rights, on the rights of black Americans, on worker's rights and on economic freedoms. Previous generations have put us back on course and protected diversity, dissent and religious freedom. Now it is your turn."

 Click here to read more about December graduation.
 Click here to read the full text of Gene Roberts's speech.

Dedication of Ferguson Building Scheduled

The Ferguson Math and Science Center continues to take shape, with construction on-schedule for opening this fall. Dedication of the Ferguson Center will happen at 11am on Saturday, June 7, in the Ponder Lobby of the building. The 38,000 square foot structure will more than double Mars Hill’s science facilities, and it is one of the centerpieces of MHC's Values & Vision capital campaign. Named after benefactors Carolyn and Jack Ferguson of Candler, North Carolina, the Ferguson Center will feature specially designed laboratory space for mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, meteorology, and computer science. It will be connected to the existing Wall Science Building, which will be renovated to feature wireless computer classrooms, lecture halls, and faculty offices.

 Click here to view a photo gallery of the Ferguson Center construction, from groundbreaking in May 2006 through December's "topping off" ceremony and its current status.

Half-Million-Dollar Gift Supports Regional Studies

Mars Hill College has received a half-million-dollar gift to endow scholarships for students studying the Southern Appalachian region. James Montgomery, a former professor of Spanish and retired university librarian from Austin, Texas, made the $500,000 contribution which will fund two scholarships annually for students actively engaged in Mars Hill's Regional Studies Program.

 Click here to read more about Mr. Montgomery's gift.

MHC Receives Unexpected Bequest

Ruth Paddison, a native of Blytheville, Arkansas, and a long-time resident of Asheville, has included Mars Hill College in her will. She passed away on February 20, 2007, but the college was not informed of the estate provision until last fall. It is an unexpected and generous gift, especially in light of the fact Ms. Paddison was not a Mars Hill College graduate, nor was she a Baptist.  She was, however, deeply committed to education, to young people, and to bettering western North Carolina. All of the charitable organizations cited in her estate are either educational institutions, youth service agencies, or located in the greater Asheville area. Over the course of the next year, it is anticipated Mars Hill will receive $350,000 from the Paddison estate for the benefit of students through the College’s annual scholarship fund.

Mountain Lions Keep Watch Over Bobcats

The MHC alumni and institutional advancement offices sponsored the first Young Alumni Night in Charlotte, NC, on December 8. About 30 alumni, friends, and trustees of the college turned out for food and fellowship at Brixx Pizza, then walked over to watch the Charlotte Bobcats pro basketball team take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland's Lebron "King" James was on the bench with an injury during the Queen City game, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the Mars Hill group, especially when the hometown Bobcats came away with the victory. Be on the lookout this year for a few events in your city!

Selena Hilemon '01 Selected as Inaugural Alum of the Month

There's something new for MHC alumni on the Mars Hill College Web site. We'll be featuring one outstanding alumna/us each month as our Alum of the Month. Selena Hilemon, a member of the class of 2001, is our first honoree.

 Click here to read about the exciting things happening in Selena's life, and to find out how to nominate someone you think is deserving to be Mars Hill's Alum of the Month.

MHC To Honor Publication of Dr. Jolley's New Book

Mars Hill College will honor the publication of That Magnificent Army of Youth and Peace: The Civilian Conservation Corps in North Carolina, 1933-1942, at an event February 12. The book is the latest by retired history professor Dr. Harley Jolley. Dr. Jolley will speak on the establishment of the CCC in North Carolina, share stories of camp life, and examine the accomplishment of the CCC. A reception and book signing will follow his presentation. The event begins at 2pm in Peterson Conference Center in Blackwell Hall.

 Click here to read more about Dr. Jolley's new book.

Some other upcoming events at MHC:

 February 13:Poet Glenis Redmond shares her poetry in a free event
 February 16: Rev. Fred Lunsford leads conference on "Growing the Sunday School for Spiritual Awakening"
 March 10 & 11: Global sustainability expert Dr. Robert Musil speaks
 April 3: Sister Helen Prejean, death penalty opponent and author of Dead Man Walking
 April 4-6: Bailey Mountain Cloggers Spring Concert
 April 9: Second annual Spring SLAM (Student Liberal Arts Mosaic)

 Upcoming theatre arts productions
 Upcoming music department performances

Charitable Gift Annuity Great Option in Current Market

In the midst of an ever volatile stock market, older Mars Hillians may wish to give consideration to the solid, guaranteed returns available – all in the spirit of providing support to their alma mater. The benefits of a charitable gift annuity include:

• Guaranteed income for life (or two lives in the case of a couple).
• A charitable tax deduction (for the gift portion of the annuity).
• The bypassing of capital gains taxation for gifts funded with appreciated property.
• Created easily – a simple one page agreement that does not require an attorney.
• Special funds at Mars Hill can be created with charitable proceeds – such as a scholarship or project-specific endowment.

EXAMPLES:

1. A couple, ages 70 and 72, creates a $10,000 charitable gift annuity. They would receive a payout rate of 6% for both of their lives ($600 a year) along with an immediate charitable deduction of $2,873 (at a 28% tax rate). Plus, they would have the security of steady income and the opportunity of doing something extra-special for Mars Hill College.
2. An alumnus, age 78, also creates a $10,000 charitable gift annuity. Because of this individual’s older age, and the fact the annuity is based on just one life, the payout rate would be 7.6% ($760 a year). The gift would result in an immediate charitable deduction of $4,539 (again at the 28% tax rate). Once again a win-win situation arises for both the donor and Mars Hill College.

New Planned Giving Web Site Launched

You can create a legacy with Mars Hill College that will endure forever. It is easy and hassle free:

1. Just go to www.mhc.edu/alumni.asp
2. Click on "Planned Giving."
3. Find valuable information about your planned giving options.

Our Web site is completed and updated monthly. By accessing it you can:

• Learn how charitable giving can provide payments for yourself and loved ones.
• Calculate your benefits with our online gift calculator.
• Determine how tax laws dictate how your IRA pays you and your beneficiaries.

Contact Bud Christman, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, at (828)-689-1194 or bchristman@mhc.edu with questions about gift options that best fit your philanthropic and financial goals.

Life Trustee Passes Away

Howard C. Charles, class of 1939, died January 18, 2008, from injuries sustained in a fall the day before.

Howard served three terms on the MHC Board of Trustees and since 2002 has been a Life Trustee. At their January 25 meeting, the trustees passed a resolution honoring his long service to the college. In 1996, he was selected as the Mars Hill College Alumnus of the Year. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Greensboro for over 50 years, where he taught Sunday School for most of that time. He also served as a deacon and a member of the finance committee. He led an exemplary Christian life, which was enriched with a deep understanding of the Bible and a special love of Psalms.

Howard was President and Chairman of the Board of Central Carolina Warehouses, Inc. in Greensboro. An astute businessman, he led the growth of Central Carolina Warehouses until his retirement in 1985. He was also a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, a member of the Kiwanis Club, and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. He never lost his love of flying, which began in 1940 as a pilot in the Army Air Corps and was rekindled 30 years later when he got his private pilot's license. He was a champion golfer, and won several gold and silver medals in the National Senior Olympics during the last ten years. Woodworking was another hobby, making everything from beautiful heirloom furniture pieces to handcrafted gifts that he loved to hand out to friends and strangers alike.

Known for his quick smile and friendly manner, he was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be deeply missed by the entire Mars Hill College community.

And finally... World's Worst Jokes
with "Dr." Bud Christman

New Year's Resolution:

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones that I do like,
And the eyesight to tell the difference.