Fall 2006

Campaign swings beyond Oxford

With four major events this fall, nearly 2,000 members of the Miami University community beyond campus have been able to join the excitement of The Miami University Campaign For Love and Honor. At the events, guests also had the opportunity to meet Miami’s 21st president, David C. Hodge, and his wife, Valerie.

The series of events also provided an opportunity to inspire a new generation of donors and volunteers. More than 150 sponsors helped offset the costs of the local events and each regional chair recruited committee members to serve locally.

The location of the events ranged from a historic theatre and hotel complex in September in Columbus, Ohio; to a refurbished convention center in Cincinnati; to The Field Museum in Chicago; and finally, as Giving Tribute went to press, historic Gotham Hall in New York City.

The theme of “A New Day,” with a sunburst motif, carried through all the events. With gourmet meals and a festive atmosphere, the evenings included presentations by a faculty member, a current student, President Hodge and Sue Morten Rogers ‘57, the regional gifts chair. Each local host offered a reflection on his own Miami Experience and the Miami Men’s Glee Club appeared at all of the venues.

“We have so much to celebrate,” said John Peck ’66, the Greater Cincinnati campaign chair. “But it has become clear that we, as members of the Miami family, must … create the legacy that ensures Miami will remain a welcoming community of learners and a top-flight institution of scholarship.”

The Chicago campaign chairs, Beth ’82 and Jim ’82 Mynhier, reflected on their days at Miami. “In celebrating the promise of Miami today,” Jim said, “none of us can help but look back to our own days at Miami… it was an experience that changed our lives.”

Jim DeRoberts ’78, the Central Ohio chair, said bringing Miami to Columbus was a great idea. “We look forward to expanding Miami’s outreach efforts with future Central Ohio events showcasing Miami’s many strengths,” he said.

Julie and Gary Killian ’81 were to host the evening in Manhattan. Gary said the event promised to inspire Miami alumni who call the New York City area home.

At each event, Rogers described the overall campaign with its ties to the bicentennial celebration in 2009 and its $500 million goal. She called on alumni and friends to make a commitment. “We can do it because we want to support Miami’s faculty… because we believe in Miami’s students… and because President Hodge and the leadership at Miami are clear about what’s required as we move into Miami’s third century.”

Click here for more photos and details about all four events.