A $2 million commitment from Catawba College Trustee Chester A. "Junie" Michael III '70 of Mooresville helped the institution meet its $35 million endowment campaign goal in only two years.  However, college officials say they will not be resting on that success.

"This is a five-year effort," said Catawba College Senior Vice President Tom Childress, "and we have three years to go. We're thankful to Junie for his leadership as chairman of this campaign and he certainly has set for us a higher standard."

College President Dr. Robert Knott made the announcement of Michael's gift at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees.  He noted that Michael, as chairman of the endowment campaign, had stepped forward with a magnificent commitment which allowed the college to "now celebrate $35 million."  Trustees stood and applauded Michael after the announcement was made.

Childress enumerated some of the successes of the endowment campaign, including four new sets of donors who moved to the benefactor's level (lifetime giving to the College totals or exceeds $1 million or more) with $1 million gifts to the endowment effort. Other successes include the establishment of 22 new endowed scholarships (created with gifts of $10,000 or more) and six new First Family Scholarships (created with gifts of $150,000 or more).  Twenty-six new members were also added to the Catawba College Tower Society.  Established in 1997, the Tower Society honors and recognizes the generosity of alumni and friends who have made a planned giving agreement with the college or who have provided for Catawba in their estate plans.

Catawba's endowment campaign began with a year-long silent phase in 2004.  Trustees then unanimously authorized the campaign's official launch and $35 million goal at their May 2005 retreat.

Not counting funds raised through the campaign effort, the college endowment today stands at $34 million.  Each year, earnings from that endowment provide scholarships to academically deserving students.  Institutional aid, funds taken annually from the college's operating budget, has helped Catawba recruit strong students and bridge the financial gap left by its relatively weak endowment position.  Now, a stronger endowment will help eliminate the need for institutional aid and help position Catawba as a more select institution able to vigorously compete for the most academically capable students.

Funds raised in the endowment campaign effort will also underwrite academic and student programs and the College's work study program, which provides on-campus employment for students, and help maintain and upgrade specific facilities.

Within the overall endowment effort, more than $1 million was raised to endow the Campus Ministry Chair.  Two couples, Richard J. Seiwell '67 and wife Linda of West Chester, Pa., and James C. Dayvault '64 and wife Marty '63 of Lakeland, Fla., pledged up to $250,000 to match contributions designated for this effort.  Richard Seiwell and Marty Dayvault are the children of Catawba's former campus minister, the late Reverend Porter Seiwell.

Catawba's endowment campaign will officially conclude in January 2009.  In addition to Michael, other trustees involved in leadership roles in the campaign include James F. Hurley and Ralph W. Ketner, both of Salisbury, honorary co-chairmen; William Graham '83, Rowan County campaign chair; and members of the campaign steering committee: Darlene L. Ball '62 of Greensboro, Barry D. Leonard '65 of Greensboro, Samuel A. Penninger Jr. '63 of Alpharetta, Ga., Charles G. Potts '53 of Charlotte, Richard J. Seiwell '67 (ex-officio) of West Chester, Pa., Ronald L. Smith of Salisbury, and Tom E. Smith '64 (ex-officio) of Salisbury.