History:
In 1971 a group of active alumni and community leaders saw a need for the college to have an outside funding source to help with student scholarships. Three local banks donated a total of $1,250.00 and the ACCC Endowment Association was born. The original board of directors included the following individuals: Robert Stadler, Robert Talkington, Lloyd Swanson, Dr. Bill Spencer, Mrs. Emerson Lynn Jr., Ivan Strickler, John Powell, Douglas Dawson, Lawrence Singer, Jim Strong, Fred Hiller, Jack Works, Floyd Smith, Dr. John Corpolongo, and Webb Dreiling.

Milestones:
In 1995 the Endowment Association was awarded a Challenge Grant from the federal government. This award meant that if the Endowment Association reached a goal of $250,000.00 the government would match that goal with $500,000.00-a two for one match! With the commitment of the ACCC Administration, the ACCC Endowment Board, and the work of many volunteers, that goal was met and exceeded! After an 18-month period the Endowment Association's assets had reached just under $2 million dollars.

In October of 2004, the Endowment Association was fortunate to receive another Challenge Grant and the "Gateway to Education Million Dollar Challenge Grant Campaign" was born. If $350,000 was raised in a five year period, it would be matched with another $350,000, a one-for-one match, for a total of $700,000. The Endowment Association Board of Directors are always up to a challenge, so adding another $300,000 to the campaign made it a million dollar event! Fifty-five new scholarships were endowed between October 2004 and January 2007 and the matching funds were expended. The board expects to complete this campaign well before the five year period ends on September 30, 2009.

Today:
The Endowment Association has 176 named endowed scholarship and assets just over $3.8 million. During the previous academic school year ACCC and the Endowment Association awarded over $837,491 in scholarship dollars to ACCC students. Our five-year goal is to have endowed funds in excess of $5 million. The Endowment Association sponsors several fundraising activities throughout the year. These include a telefund, silent auction, live auction and dinner; a golf tournament and a scholarship luncheon.

Ways To Make A Gift:
Gifts may be made outright or deferred. There are many ways of giving to the Endowment Association besides cash. These include antiques, artwork and collectibles, business inventories, crop revenues, jewelry, land contracts, life insurance, livestock, mortgages, notes and leases, real estate, royalties, and stocks and bonds.

Alumni:
The Endowment office is also responsible for keeping a current alumni list. The Allen Advocate, a quarterly publication from the Endowment Office, is sent to ACCC alumni and friends. If you are a graduate of ACCC please register on our website. If you would like more information about the Endowment Association, would like to make a gift or endow a scholarship, please contact Cindy Adams at 620-365-5116, extension 218.

2007-2008 Endowment Association Board of Directors

Officers:

President-Neal Barclay, '84, Iola

Vice President-Jon Dunbar, Colony

Secretary-Cathy Lynch, Iola

Treasurer-Jason Kegler

Board of Directors:

Diane Bertone, Iola

Ken Gilpin, Iola

Bret Heim, Iola

Bob Johnson Jr., Iola

Gary McIntosh, '63, Iola

Craig Neuenswander, Iola

Teri Porter, Iola

Larry Ross, '71, Moran

Ken Shetlar, '68, Iola

ACCC Representative:

Jason Kegler, Iola

Endowment Office Staff:

Cindy Adams, '74, Director of Development, Yates Center

Sara Ellis, Administrative Assistant, Iola

Ex-Officio Members:

John Masterson, Iola, ACCC President, Ex-Officio

Steve Troxel '70, Iola, ACCC Director of Finance and Operations, Ex-Officio