June 2005

Dear Classmates of 1965:

Anticipation builds.  Our 40th class reunion.  This is a biggie, folks.  I hope you can come.  September 30 -- October 2.  If you are planning to come, please drop me a note now at my e-mail address raybaileyusa@hotmail.com so I can add your name to the growing and updating list of planned attendees on the alumni web site for our reunion class of '65 at www.cord.edu/1965.   The intent is to grow that list like a rolling stone. 

Since this will be the last postal-delivered communication about our class reunion, you can check the web site for further information or, better yet, send me your e-mail address as I will be sending out periodic reports as our reunion weekend approaches.  Rest assured that plans are shaping up to ensure plenty of visiting time for interacting with fellow classmates.

Now, some news sent me by the alumni office about our fellow classmates.  Raleigh Lillemoe, Alexandria, Minn., former wrestler and football player, will be inducted into Concordia's Athletic Hall of Fame at this year's Homecoming.  Richard Mikkelson, Plattsburgh, N.Y., has been promoted to SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Art at the State U of New York College Plattsburgh.  Jerry Schradick, Wahpeton, N.D., has been appointed to the American Counseling Association's Committee on Public Policy and Legislation; he is employed by Sisseton Wahpeton College and is president of the N.D. Counseling Association.  Geri Burkhart Weiner, Fargo, N.D., had artwork displayed in the 45th Annual Midwestern Exhibition at The Rourke Art Museum.

That's the news as reported; as always, if you have tidbits to share please send them on to the alumni office so your classmates can get a glimpse into your active life.

Enclosed in this mailing is Cobber X-tra.  It summarizes some of the significant happenings in the life of our alma mater during the past year...and some future plans, too.  Of course, the presidential inauguration of Dr. Pamela Jolicoeur in April was a seminal event in the college's life.  You can read her address on Concordia's web site.  More information on Homecoming is also enclosed, including tickets and a full schedule of events.  For motel guidance, visit our reunion web site.

Let me now summarize the annual financial giving of our class and the overall results for the college as a whole.  This past fiscal year (May 1 to April 30) our class contributed $63,565, with 19.5% of our class making contributions.  Thank you.  The total garnered from all alumni was $5,228,484, with 30.6% of alumni participating.

Our 1 in 5 participation this year is down from our 1 in 3 participation of last year.  This may be due to a variety of reasons including the decision by the C-400 Annual Giving Office to not include our class in the annual fund Phonathon in light of our upcoming reunion...and our intent to make a financial class gift for that.  If you've not yet been contacted about the class gift, I would strongly urge you to send your gift by using the enclosed envelope.  I heard from the office that eleven reunion gifts were received in the month of May alone.  Thank you.

As this may or may not be my final letter to you as class agent (please know that I've enjoyed these past 10 years interacting with you, my classmates, but am always willing to 'pass the torch' so the task/joy/experience touches more people), I would like to close with some thoughts on a topic close to my heart.  That of charitable giving.

Yes, I believe in tithing...giving at least 10% of one's income to charity...i.e., nonprofit institutions.  And, yes, I believe that our class could sustain an annual giving rate of 50% to Concordia.

For the tithing, I'd invite each of you to determine your present rate of giving by dividing your charitable contributions by your income.  Say it's 4%.  Then, annually, challenge yourself to increase that figure a full percentage point until you've reached at least 10%.  And, yes, I am mindful that there are a variety of churches, agencies, and institutions worthy of your support.

For giving to Concordia, remember that the amount is not nearly as important as the ANNUAL participation.  So, again, I'd invite you to get in the habit of writing a check for $25 or $25,000 (or something in between) each year to Concordia.  Over the past 10 years I've noted that over half of us have indeed contributed to Concordia...now, let's strive to make that an ANNUAL pledge.  I say this because I think that Concordia has indeed made an impact on all of us.

Yes, I am mindful that, for some of us, not all Concordia-related experiences (past or present) have been positive.  But, such is life.  The bitter, the sweet.  The bittersweet.  The ups, the downs.  I simply wish to lift up our alma mater as an institution worthy of support and, in my opinion, one which does strive to fulfill its purpose to "influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life."

Now, until I see you at Homecoming on September 30 -- October 2, I wish you a good and blessed summer.  Take care. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Ray E. Bailey