Posted on Friday, June 16, 2023
One day can make a huge difference. LC Giving Day, June 23, provides a time to focus on helping LaGrange College students receive vital resources.
Every year, the LaGrange College Advancement Division strives to raise at least $2.6 million to cover necessary expenses tuition alone does not fund. From financial aid like scholarships to support for resources like academic coaching to common classroom tools, donor funding is an important component for affording the transformative educational experience the college offers, said Rebecca Roth Nicks, Vice President for Advancement.
“LC Giving Day is a celebration of philanthropy and what it accomplishes for our students,” she said. “And we are excited to have a generous alumni donor, Michael T. Fay ’86 and Fay Family Investments, who will be matching up to $10,000 in gifts made this year for Giving Day.”
The day is set on June 23 in honor of the Class of 2023, which raised a record-breaking amount for its senior giveback challenge, an annual goal of the senior class to make a gift that will benefit the students still seeking their degrees after the graduating class.
Erika Hill, a Class of 2023 graduate, said that donor-funded financial aid and scholarships were necessary for her.
“It is amazing to see someone who is so willing to help out,” she said of the donors who funded her scholarships. “When I saw that (financial aid at) LaGrange College offered to cover half my fees, I jumped at the opportunity. It kept me focused enough to graduate a year early and lit a fire underneath me to continue pushing to make sure I’m getting good grades to get scholarships and keep graduating as my No. 1 goal.”
Fellow Class of 2023 graduate De’Queze Fryer called donor-funded aid “a big blessing to students.”
“It took a lot of financial hardship off my parents,” he said of the aid he received. “So, I could come here without having to worry about being in debt.”
Lauren Venters Knowles ’17, M’19, Assistant Director of the LaGrange College Fund, said she hopes alumni recognize how donors shaped their time on campus and consider providing the same opportunities for the next generation.
“As an alumna myself, I’m aware that I received tremendous support from donors during my journey,” she said. “I want to help give back and hope fellow alumni will as well.”
“We can honor the hard work the Class of 2023 put in to raise a record-breaking gift to give back to their alma mater and help provide students still seeking their degrees with support like financial aid and academic coaching that gives them opportunities to achieve their goals.” Anyone wishing to make a gift as part of LC Giving Day can go to
l0jb.kongtiao11.com/givingday any time before midnight June 23 to have their gift matched.
Theatre Arts Professor Kim Barber Knoll recently directed and produced “The Spirit of Lafayette,” which was written by Dr. Richard Ingram, for the annual meeting of the American Friends of Lafayette. The public was invited to watch part two of the play at Price Theater. Assistant Theatre Arts Professor Tim Fitz-Gerald portrayed General Lafayette. The production also featured English Professor Dr. Anthony Wilson, Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures, First Gentleman Mark Huffman and Theatre Arts alumnus KaDarius Griggs ’17. Associate Theatre Arts Professor Luke Hopper served as technical director and lighting designer for the show.
1-John Cook, Religion
2-Vivian Barnes, Education
2-Carol Yin, Mathematics
10-Kim Barber Knoll, Theatre Arts
10-Brian Hunter, Business Administration
14-Chuck Ehret, Athletics (Football)
14-Kelly Ansley, Library
19-Amber Baldridge, Registrar’s Office
24-Sharon Livingston, Education
27-Jon Ernstberger, Mathematics
28-Jackie Belcher, Financial Aid Office
28-Beth McClanahan, Mathematics
LaGrange College Giving Day – June 23
Join Alumni Executive Committee member Dr. Joy Baker '02 for Giving Day and make a generous donation to LaGrange College on June 23. Gifts go to support student services such as tutoring and career counseling.
Cross Country
Andrew Cunningham ’23 and Chase Davis ’23 received College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Men’s At-Large Academic All-District honors. Cunningham earned his spot with a 3.72 GPA in Political Science and History and a berth on the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) List in Fall 2022. Davis joined Cunningham in Political Science and History, earning a 3.75 GPA.
Lindsey Green ’24 and Lindsey Swearngin ’24 made history as the first student-athletes in program history to earn multiple CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District honors. They previously earned Academic All-District selections for softball on May 16. Green and Swearngin each earned a place on the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) List in Fall 2022 and both were named to the USA South All-Academic Team in 2021 and 2022.
Football
De’Queze Fryer ’23, Chris Guthrie ’25, Alex Rivera ’23, Chase Shelton ’26 and Daijon Weaver ’25 were named to the USA South Academic All-Conference Team.
Lacrosse
Isaac Bohrer ’23, Casey Gibson ’24, Joshua Hargrove ’23, Jacob Jeffords ’23, Baylor Montoya ’25, Luke Young ’26 and Wade Young ’26 were selected for the USA South Academic All-Conference Team.
Category: Students, Academics, Philanthropy
Keywords: Education, Scholarships
