You’ve heard of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, but what about Giving Tuesday?
Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday connects diverse groups of individuals, communities, and organizations for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving. Now in its seventh year, Giving Tuesday has become the kick-off of the charitable season, which for many is a time to focus on holiday and end-of-year giving.
During this time of being thankful, the campus community would like to recognize a handful of our recent donors, and how their gifts have helped to advance and transform campus.
In February of 2017, Hiram College announced its Tech and Trek Program, the first 1:1 Apple mobile program for a four-year college or university in Ohio thanks to a gift of $2.1 million gift from alumnus and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dean Scarborough ’77 and his wife, Janice Bini. Beginning in August of 2017 all full-time traditional students are presented with iPad Pro bundles.
Following the lead gift, several other donors have contributed generously to the program to ensure that wireless technology is functioning at high speed throughout campus; that the majority of classrooms on campus have 21st-century technology; and that charging stations (thanks to Marty ’64 and Marilyn Clague) are strategically placed throughout campus. The Paul and Maxine Frohring Foundation made possible the extension of Tech & Trek to the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station—installing wireless connectivity, upgrading classrooms and more. Thanks to gifts from Steve and Pam West ’67/’67 and Randy and Shari Dearth ’86/’85, a Tech & Trek space was added to the first floor of the library. Additionally, Tech & Trek upgrades have been made to many of the historical homes on campus thanks to donors Sheryl Buckley ’68, John and Sylvia Yankey, Rich and Sue Pejeau ’66/’66, and Kevin and Kristen McMahon ’74/’74.
In addition to upgrading technology, other renovations have been made to a number of the historical homes as well. For example, thanks to the generosity of the Peskin family, John and Pat Zimmerman, and Norman ’61 and Hanna Kelker improvements have been made to the Garfield Robbins Zimmerman Home. Work included electrical and support work, fresh paint to both the interior and exterior of the house, sanded and re-stained floors, and a complete porch repair.
But improvements haven’t been limited to the indoors. A multitude of outdoor projects took place this summer as well including new landscaping and the placement of a bench in front of the Kennedy Center, courtesy of the Class of 1968.
Perhaps of most interest to students is that several updates have been made to the residence halls. Thanks to a gift from Larry and Joyce DeYoung ‘69/’69 upgrades were made to many of the lounges. In addition, gifts have made possible restroom renovations, the purchase of new furniture, and the addition of several outdoor patios.
And thanks to a lead gift from Walter S. Peckinpaugh, Jr., ’65 and Marilyn B. Peckinpaugh, the tennis courts on lower campus were completely renovated, which included resurfacing and fencing the area.
A sampling of other improvements to campus made possible by donor support include:
- Placement of a fence around the baseball field thanks to a lead gift from Doug ’82 and Julie Gruber.
- Pavement of parking lots on campus thanks to Mark ’60 and Anne Logan, and Bruce ’71 and Karen Shylo.
- Maintenance and upgrades to the Love Writing House thanks to Steve and Jackie Love.
- Creation of the John M. Watson Music Laboratory thanks to Bob and Maggie Watson.
- Improvements to the Northwoods Field Station thanks to Hank ’80 and Julie Schellenger.
- Donation of new vans and other campus vehicles thanks to Fred Martin ’64.
- Placement of I AM HIRAM billboard thanks to Debbie Abdalian-Thompson ’75
This Giving Tuesday, the Hiram College community is thankful for all who have impacted the College through gifts of money and time. You too can make a difference in preserving the Hiram legacy for generations to come by making a gift this Giving Tuesday.
by Jenelle Bayus
