On Jan. 17, 2020, Ursinus College announced the largest gift commitment in its 150-year history when Will Abele '61, Joan Abele, and the Abele Family Foundation, Inc. pledged $11 million for the Abele Scholars Program. This was also a climactic moment in for the college's “Keep the Promise” comprehensive campaign, as it officially pushed Ursinus through its $100 million goal for that endeavor.
All Abele Scholars are asked to sign a copy of a 1787 letter from Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Webb, within which he champions the notion of “paying it forward,” a central tenet of the Abele Scholars Program. With that in mind, we chose to unveil this gift commitment on Jan. 17, Ben Franklin's birthday, and a day that is often referenced as Ben Franklin Day.
The day occurred in three phases: a private luncheon for the donors, close friends and trustees, key community partners, Abele Scholars, and select faculty and staff; a large-scale gift announcement open to all of the campus with a video, formal presentation, media present, a champagne toast, and hors d'oeuvres and refreshments for attendees; and a reception in Sturgis Hall, the newly renovated hub for the Abele Scholars Program.
Despite the challenges of holding an event in the dead of winter, it was a significant success, with more than 200 individuals attending the formal announcement. One hundred fifty numbered commemorative prints of the “Ben Franklin Letter” were produced using a letter press, and given away as a keepsake from the event.
From the Judges
This was a strong entry, given the theming around the gift commitment and donors' wishes. The materials provided were of a very high quality, and all tied in beautifully with the theme. The involvement of numerous teams from across the college was good to see.
