December 5, 2008

Dear Member of the Kalamazoo College Community:

For 175 years on this fair Arcadian Hill, Kalamazoo College has prepared graduates to provide the enlightened leadership that the nation and the world have required. Now more than ever, the world needs the enlightened leaders Kalamazoo College produces; and now, more than ever, your gift will make this possible.

Throughout our history, outstanding faculty and staff have transformed the lives of intellectually curious young men and women. “K” students are special. They possess intellectual discipline, a global perspective, and a commitment to “doing good” in addition to “doing well.” At this moment, for instance, two members of the class of 2008 are distributing mosquito nets at the Burma/Thailand border in an effort to stamp out malaria, and a group of young alums in the Silicon Valley is engaged in a variety of entrepreneurial activities that will help strengthen our economy.

I know many of you are concerned about how Kalamazoo College will fare in the current economic climate.

The colleges that will thrive in this era of economic uncertainty are those that move forward boldly with a vision for the future. Kalamazoo College is one of these institutions. There is a youthful vigor in the “K” community that is sustained by confidence and a willingness to take risks. The “K” Plan is the source of this energy and spirit. It continues to evolve in response to a changing world and the emerging needs of new generations of students. Kalamazoo College will provide to a global community of learners the most exceptional undergraduate education possible and will strengthen its reputation as one of the nation's outstanding liberal arts colleges.

In this challenging economic environment, we are making every effort to keep students in school regardless of their financial circumstances. We are committed to supporting the intellectually curious young men and women who come to “K” to learn and who graduate and make such a difference in the world. Kalamazoo College is an exceptional place. I ask you to join other alumni, families, and friends of Kalamazoo College and make the best gift you have ever made to “K” through the Kalamazoo College Fund. I do hope you will help.

Sincerely,

Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran
President