Reinhardt College Celebrated Successful Capital Campaign and Kicked off the College's 125th Anniversary Year With Formal Dinner at Cobb Galleria Centre

The past has been written, and a new chapter begins at Reinhardt College. On Thursday, January 24, the Reinhardt College Board of Trustees members and Dr. J. Thomas Isherwood and his wife, Bettye Jo, hosted a formal dinner to mark the successful conclusion of Reinhardt's "Confirming Our Commitment" Capital Campaign and to kick off the College's 125^th Anniversary Year and events.

"We gathered to say thank you to many of those who helped the College surpass its goals in the recent three-year "Confirming our Commitment" Capital Campaign," explained Isherwood. "It was a wonderful evening of celebrating our success and an opportunity to look into the future as we begin our next 125 years as a leading institution of higher learning in Georgia. 

"We have a good foundation for the future," explained Isherwood. "We know who we are. We know what we value. We are well balanced as an institution having made good investments in our people, in our programs, in our facilities and of our endowment."

Alumni, donors, student leaders, faculty and staff, and friends of the College attended the event at the Cobb Galleria Centre. The evening began with welcoming remarks from Isherwood, followed by the invocation from Billy Jones, president of Reinhardt's Student Government Association. Guests then enjoyed a seated dinner while Reinhardt music students provided beautiful background music.

Piano soloist Charity Neese, a freshman from Jasper, Ga., and Elizabeth Gibson, a sophomore from Tate, Ga., and vocal soloists Jayme Dodd, a sophomore from Fairmount, Ga., and Timothy Parham (pictured left), a sophomore from Carrollton, Ga., impressed the crowd with their talent and range.

'Confirming Our Commitment' Capital Campaign

Reinhardt's Board of Trustees Chairman William G. Hasty Jr. (below right)thanked everyone who participated in the Capital Campaign, and he and his wife, Capital Campaign co-chair, Linda Nichols Hasty '90 (below left), helped reveal the Campaign totals. Isherwood kept the crowd in suspense as he read each category and the total raised while the Hastys turned pages of a large presentation book that presented the same figures.

The Hasty's heartfelt dedication to the school was apparent in their comments.  "Our sincerest gratitude goes to all who love and support Reinhardt," said Mrs. Hasty. "Your investment in Reinhardt -- whether money, time or energy -- will produce for the community a real return on your investment."

"The College"s "Confirming Our Commitment" Capital Campaign began in 2004 with a goal of raising $17 million," revealed Isherwood. "Through the heartfelt giving of donors, Reinhardt has been able to surpass that goal, raising almost $22 million, including $3,286,187 in gifts for the Annual Fund and $18,681,664 in gifts for the Capital Campaign fund alone."

The Capital Campaign has provided funds for student scholarships, the construction of The Hasty Student Life Center, the Fitness Center in the gymnasium, and the renovation of Smith Johnston Hall and the Burgess Administration Building.

Celebrating 125 Years

The night also commemorated the 125^th anniversary of the College's founding. "As we prepare for a new and exciting future, we first must always honor our past," explained Isherwood. "We honor the commitment of so many individuals who have made this institution possible by remaining consistent to our long held values."

"The Past Has Been Written," a video presentation produced by Larry Webb, assistant professor of communication, and his students, highlighted Reinhardt's vibrant history. The video will be featured on You Tube in the coming weeks.  The College's anniversary will be recognized during the College's special events in 2008, including Honors Day, graduation and Alumni Day.

Looking Towards the Future

The Celebration Dinner honored Reinhardt"s past, but the College"s future was also outlined. "We have a good foundation for the future," explained Isherwood. "We know who we are. We know what we value. We are well balanced as an institution having made good investments in our people, in our programs, in our facilities and of our endowment."

Isherwood's goal is for Reinhardt to grow to 1500 students -- 500 living on campus, 500 commuting to the Waleska campus and 500 in off-campus programs. Additional master�s programs in education and music and online offerings are also in the planning stages.

"Our future is about our commitment to the values we endorse and to the engaging, quality education that builds confidence in our students," explained Isherwood. "It's the love of these young people that moves us forward, and what they bring to this College community every year that makes this place so special."

For more information

Office of Marketing and Communications, top floor of Burgess Administration Building

media relations Lauren Thomas (770) 720-5514 LHT@reinhardt.edu
marketing Marsha White (770) 720-5512  MSW@reinhardt.edu
graphic design Amanda Brown (770) 720-5907 ALB@reinhardt.edu