Office of
College Advancement
The Washington Fund
John A. Wagner '74
Director, Waterfront Activities
"I owe my livelihood to my liberal arts education. But for me, watching young rowers and sailors develop into mature and interesting individuals is the big payoff."
John Wagner '74, a former rower and now director of the College's waterfront activities, has strong family ties to his alma mater. He and his wife Carol '03, sister Kathy '79, daughter Nicole '96, and niece Jennifer Grotton '90 have continued the Wagner legacy established when his father graduated in 1934. In addition to their investments of time and work, the Wagners support the College with annual gifts because of what their education has empowered them to achieve. John's experience in the classroom and on the Chester River gave him focus, discipline and an appreciation for the liberal arts.
Wagner likens rowing to the annual support he and his wife provide. "You row for the good of all, and for the sake of rowing. We give for the good of Washington College, for the sake of education. It's not so much what we studied, but the experiences we had that counted."
As steady and as constant as our namesake
The Washington Fund provides budget relieving gifts that permit the College to direct money to scholarships and other pressing priorities. Each year, we count on annual gifts that accord us the flexibility to assist students who might otherwise not be able to attend Washington College; to hire and retain the most talented faculty; and to create a campus environment befitting one of America's premier small liberal arts colleges.
Washington Fund Gifts may be directed to these four areas:
- Unrestricted
- Scholarships
- Faculty and Staff Support
- Campus Master Plan
Q. What is the Washington Fund?
The Washington Fund provides budget-supporting gifts that permit the College to direct money to scholarships and other crucial priorities identified by the administration, faculty and trustees. Annual scholarships remain the College's most pressing need.
Q. Doesn't the College's endowment provide sufficient resources for scholarships?
The College is fortunate to have many endowed scholarships created by donors who want to honor a loved one or assist students in a particular major. These funds are vitally important and much encouraged. But what we lack are flexible, expendable scholarship funds that enable us to serve the full range of deserving students.
Q. So where does annual scholarship money come from?
Every year, Washington College commits millions of its institutional dollars to scholarships, $13 million in the past year alone. About $3 million of that was covered by income from endowed scholarships, leaving $10 million to be funded from other sources. Gifts to The Washington Fund provide the funds necessary to serve students who might not otherwise be able to attend.
Q. The annual price tag for a Washington College education stands at nearly $35,000. Isn't that enough to sustain the College's operations?
Only about 20% of students and their families are able to pay the full cost of a Washington College education; 80% receive some form of financial aid. Further, the cost of tuition ($28,230 in 05-06) meets only about two-thirds of the actual cost of that education. We depend upon the support of alumni, parents and friends to make up the difference.
Q. I like to direct my money to specific programming, such as the Sho'men Club or the Friends of the Arts. Do those gifts count toward The Washington Fund?
By all means continue to support the programs that appeal to you. But aside from the budget-relieving scholarships provided by The 1782 Society, and two other directed-gift choices offered this year-for faculty and for our landscape and updated campus master plan, restricted gifts do not accrue to the Washington Fund. We strongly encourage you to give to the Washington Fund first-and at the 1782 levels if you are able-before supporting those other interests that appeal to you. In our giving calendar, the first call that you receive from Washington College will ask you to support the Washington Fund.
Jolene Lehr '00
"Giving to The Washington Fund is about building the future, but it's also an investment in my history. I want to always be proud that I graduated from Washington College."
Jolene Lehr, a young publishing professional living in the Boston area, supports those institutions that have shaped who she is today-for example, her church, the local museum, public television and Washington College. "I definitely believe in giving back," she says, "and I think of it as an investment in the make-up of who I am."
As a more recent alumna, she's also market-savvy. "Higher education is a competitive industry these days, and colleges have to work hard to remain attractive to students on all levels," she says, "including academic programs, athletics and infrastructure. If we're not moving ahead, we can easily fall by the wayside. When you consider our small alumni base and our relatively modest endowment, you realize that every dollar counts, and every contributor matters."
Q. When I make an unrestricted gift through The 1782 Society ($1,500 a year or more) am I supporting The Washington Fund?
Yes. The 1782 Society has the same objective as The Washington Fund: to provide flexible, budget-supporting gifts that permit the College to direct money to scholarships and other priority areas. The 1782 Society continues its long-standing tradition of supporting general scholarships.
Q. As an alumnus, why should I give to The Washington Fund?
The value of your diploma depends upon it. As President Baird Tipson seeks increased national visibility and stature for the College, we must support him by providing the necessary resources needed. The College's reputation rests upon our ability to offer competitive financial aid packages to the strongest prospective students, as well as our ability to attract and retain the most qualified professors.
Q. As a parent, I'm already making financial sacrifices for my child's education. Why should I support The Washington Fund?
Even if you are paying full tuition, you are covering only 80% of the actual cost of your child's education. The Washington Fund affords us the extra resources to provide the best possible educational opportunities for your sons and daughters. Our promise is to give young people a truly personalized education that tests-and stretches-the limits of their talents. Your gift to The Washington Fund helps us keep that promise.
Q. I'm not rich. What difference could my gift possibly make?
In a democracy, every vote counts. With The Washington Fund, every gift matters. One benchmark of a great college is broad alumni support in annual giving. Graduates who give back to their alma mater send a strong message to our non-alumni friends and supporters that Washington College is a worthy investment. If you don't give, why should they?
For more information on ways to make your gift, please visit our Ways to Give page or contact Jeff Appel, Associate Vice President for Development, at (800) 422-1782, ext. 5735 or e-mail jappel2@washcoll.edu.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782