Only $3,000 more is needed for TFAS to meet the $65,000 challenge grant pledged by TFAS Regent Lyn Rales. The matching gift campaign deadline has been extended through April 15. Alumni contributions through that date will be matched dollar for dollar.
Alumni who contribute $350 will become member of the “Bricks and Mortar Club” and will have their names inscribed on bricks at the front entrance of the new TFAS Center for Teaching Freedom. Contributors of $1,000 or more will be recognized with a larger brick paver.
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The ICPES class of 1973 was the top contributing class, spurred by a pledge from James Meadows (E 73) to buy 10 bricks. The next two most generous classes were ICPES 1981 and ICPES 1977. Two other ICPES classes, 2007 and 1980, tied for the highest number of contributors.
Alumni from China pooled their contributions together, and in doing so raised more than $800. The Chinese alumni will thus have two bricks – one inscribed in Chinese and one in English. Several families whose siblings have come to TFAS programs bought bricks, including Claire Devney (B 06) and Patrick Devney (B 08); and Alissa Swango (J 00, I 02), Blake Swango (B 02, A 04), and Kelsey Swango (B 09).
Participants in the 2009 TFAS Fellows program joined together to purchase a brick. 2009 Fellow Erika Liliedahl (P 99) explained, “The brick idea was a no-brainer. It was only right to thank TFAS for this experience. That level of funding ($350) is probably not something that young alumni can typically offer TFAS, but as a group it is very achievable. I hope this ignites other alumni groups to do the same!”
Mary Caslin Ross (E 72) purchased two bricks, dedicating one to the memory of former TFAS president David Jones. TFAS President Roger Ream (E 76) purchased a brick in memory of Lev Dobriansky, Barry Goldwater, Walter Judd, Tony Bouscaren, and David Jones, and encouraged his classmates to do the same.
Adam Kwasman (CSF 04) purchased a brick for his mother as a Hanukah gift. It is inscribed, “Della M. Kwasman, Mother of Adam, Lover of Liberty.” Zdravko Zdravkov (I 00) made his brick a Christmas gift for his wife, Marinela Petkova (I 99), which he inscribed, “To Marinela from Zdravko, IIPES 1999 & 2000.” Cori Meyer (P 06) asked her family to contribute to a brick in lieu of giving her Christmas present.
Several alumni devised creative sayings for their bricks. Ellen Smith (J 87), an award-winning journalist, chose the inscription, “Tell the Truth and Run!” Ken Klatt (E 70) and his daughter Katie (E 09) have: “Two Generations: Ken & Kathy Klatt, Katie Klatt.” Michael Krempasky’s (E 97) inscription reads, “TFAS: A Springboard.”
The bricks will be installed this spring and will be unveiled at a ceremony on April 16, 2010.