Driven by a Passion for Service
Development Board chair Scott Beckendorf (right) presented Chaz Pavliska with the development board's first endowed athletics scholarship.
For nearly 38 years, the university’s development board has ambitiously raised funds for Incarnate Word students. Their early efforts were concentrated on a $2.7 million capital campaign to raise funds for the campus’s fine arts theatre, now called the Coates Theatre.
Today, the development board is focused on increasing private support for the university through two primary annual fundraisers: the Associates Campaign when they solicit unrestricted gifts of $1,000 and more and the Swing-In Golf Tournament and Auction Party, which will be April 30 and May 1, 2009.
Through Swing-In alone, the development board secures nearly $200,000 in sponsorship proceeds each year. For the past two years, funds from Swing-In have been set aside to establish an endowed $100,000 athletics scholarship in the name of the board. The endowed scholarship ensures the board’s fruitful efforts will have a lasting impact and recognizes past, current and future development board members for their time and financial contributions.
Scott Beckendorf, chair and 14-year member of the board, presented the first scholarship to Chaz Pavliska, a member of the university’s inaugural football team at the board's September meeting. Though the selection was difficult with so many qualified players, Chaz was chosen as the best representative of UIW’s Mission and football program.
While this award signified a substantial accomplishment for the energetic, committed board, their belief in the value of a college education is what drives them to attract new and increased resources to UIW, as well as invest their own resources and time.