Goucher's Largest Gift and its Impact

Dear Goucher Parents, Family, and Friends,

On Wednesday, April 17, Goucher College announced news of the largest gift in the college’s 140-year history! This amazing bequest will help solidify Goucher’s future and help meet and transform the needs and desires of future generations of our college community. From the $55 million gift, $50 million will be invested in Goucher’s endowment (currently $246 million); the remainder will underwrite ongoing programs and operations.

Now you may be asking: What are bequests and endowments, and what will the impact be on my student? In this case, a bequest involves designating a portion of one’s assets or estate to be given to a college or university upon one’s passing.

An endowment is a collection of funds, personal property, or other assets given to an institution to support the college’s mission in which the total amount of the gift is invested. Each year, only a portion of the income earned is spent while the remainder is added to the principal for growth; thus, creating a gift in perpetuity.

Ms. Rawnsley designated $50 million to endowment, and therefore the gift will be added to Goucher’s investment portfolio—strengthening our financial capacity and ensuring the college’s financial health for years to come. While it may take 12 to 18 months to receive the complete largess, the intention is, once the funds are received, to direct the earned income to enhance scholarships and financial aid to our students.

In addition to this amazing bequest, the Office of Advancement fundraises for our Greater Goucher Fund (unrestricted dollars to support all areas and the greatest areas of need on campus), raising money for financial aid, academic and student services, athletics, facilities, and more!

While we have surpassed the $100 million goal of the [UNDAUNTED] Campaign, which led to the completion of capital projects such as the Evelyn Dyke Schroedl tennis courts, Mary Fisher Dining Hall, and the move of Froelicher Hall to make way for the First-Year Village, we have one final project to complete—the Science Innovation Center.

This $40 million, 44,000 square-foot addition to the Hoffberger Building will create an exciting environment for interdisciplinary learning, offering our students the quality and breadth of resources to understand and address the scientific challenges of the world today.

Advancement also creates experiences for our alumni, family, friends, and students through engaging events, activities, networking opportunities, internships, and much more. As I write this note, Alumnae/i Weekend 2024 is in full swing, with more than 300 graduates whose excitement to be back on our beautiful campus rivals the enthusiasm of your student’s Move-In Day!

There are so many ways to be involved today and, in the future, to enhance either your student or another student’s experience:

• Consider becoming a career mentor.
• Offer an internship during the summer, throughout the year, or virtually during January/June/or July terms; virtual and micro-internships are available!
• Host a welcome event for students and their families in your town to foster Goucher connections in your region of the country.
• Attend a regional event when you receive an invitation to meet and expand the 20,000-plus alumni network.
• Support your student personally with a Hug from Home package or make a gift in honor of your student or graduating senior.
• Enhance the richness of our academic programs by making an annual gift to the Greater Goucher Fund or our athletic teams via the Blue & Gold Society.

Friends and family members of graduating seniors: To leverage these alumni benefits fully, please make sure your student updates their contact information, so they remain involved at all levels with the college as well as their fellow alumni, affinity groups, and peers by attending a future Gophers in the City event in a region near you over the summer.

For graduating legacy families, please plan to stop by the Alumnae/i House on May 24, the morning of Commencement, for your student to receive their Legacy medallion. More information on the Legacy Breakfast will be coming soon.

For all family and friends, we thank you for the opportunity to get to know your student and help guide them through their academic adventure at Goucher. College is so much more than four-plus years—the community your student builds during that time will last forever.

Michele Ewing
Vice President for Advancement