Volume 11 , Issue 28

Class of '59 Project for NWOSU

Dear Fellow Friends of NWOSU,

Howdy fellow classmates. It is hard to fathom that 50 years has passed since that joyous day in June 1959 when we walked across the stage, received our Diploma, shook hands with the officials, and moved our Tassels from the right to the left side.

Last April was Spring Reunion and our class was honored at the home of the President of NWOSU and we received our 50-year lapel pin. When we graduated we did not leave any gift as a memorial from our class. I am proposing that we should do so now. As I see it, this is bigger than the Class of 1959, it is something for the entire Alumni community.

What I envision is an Endowment that would provide a lecture series: ?... something similar to a lecture series at Kansas State University, known as The Landon Lecture Series. The series, as I envision it in my thoughts, doesn't have to be like this series in every way. I think the list of speakers should be persons of current stature in world, national, or even state circles, not necessarily political. I think the person could be in science/medicine, an author, a President of a major company, a military leader, or a college/university leader from a major school. I know that I have a much different outlook on these things now than I might have had fifty years, or so, ago.

The student of today seems much more interested in hearing outside points of view, especially those that coincide with some topic of the semester's classes. It seems to me that it would make a much more rounded student that graduates from NWOSU.

I think we have an opportunity here to bring something useful to NWOSU other than another plaque or bench or monument. If we do it correctly we can leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Something that will be useful as part of an education process.?

If an alumnae were able to donate $100 to this project, it would take 250 donations to establish the Endowment that would automatically generate another $25,000 in matching funds from the State Board of Regents. Of course larger amounts would be welcome and would increase the size of the gift. I am kicking this off with a donation of $1,000 as seed money to start this Endowment.

If you can see fit to donate to this Endowment, please do so soon in order for you to get an income tax benefit for 2009 and so that it can be announced this fall. Please make your checks payable to Northwestern Foundation, Inc. and mail to the address listed above.

Yours Truly,
James E. Bradley
Class of 1959
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