Chattanooga Campaign Dinner Exceeds Expectations

Posted April 16, 2008

On February 26, over 400 of Covenant’s alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends gathered at The Chattanoogan for the biggest fundraising event in the history of Covenant College. Among them were nearly 100 new friends of the College who were being introduced to the distinctive mission of Covenant for the very first time.

“It wasn’t your typical fundraiser,” reflected Derek Halvorson ’93. “It was thought-provoking, spirit-moving, and not about Covenant-for-Covenant’s-sake, but Covenant for the kingdom’s sake.”

The dinner featured Alumnus of the Year T. March Bell ’78, an internationally recognized attorney whose expertise in criminal justice and human rights issues has aided efforts to abolish human trafficking in over 30 countries. Guests also heard from President Niel Nielson, Campaign Chair Joel Belz ’62, Marc Erickson ’92, and Jonathan Wilson ’06. Alumni-owned businesses provided the floral arrangements and table gifts, and a student band, Third Lobby, provided live music.

“The words of the speakers reminded me again and again how privileged I am to be receiving such a fine liberal arts education at Covenant,” said Michelle Moore ’10, a student who attended the dinner. “I know all the donations given will be used to make a difference in people’s lives for years to come.”

In the days leading up to the event, members of the Covenant community approached the Lord in prayer for all aspects of the event, asking that the speakers, presentations, and conversations would accurately reflect the heart of the College in a way that would inspire guests to invest generously.

“You don’t raise money with events,” said Troy Duble ’93, vice president for advancement. “Our overly-optimistic goal for the evening was to raise between $75,000 and $100,000, which we prayerfully took to the Lord with nervousness and even a little skepticism. The Lord blessed beyond what we imagined.”

By the Lord’s provision, the event raised $250,000 for the BUILD campaign—a quarter of a million dollars, more than double the amount that was asked. Of the 88 pledges received, 28 were from new friends of the College.

“The greatest compliment of the night,” reflected Duble, “was when the current students who attended said to me, ‘We were proud to be Covenant students.’ That’s when I knew the dinner was a success. Not only did we introduce new friends to the College, but we told the story right.”