Saturday night, the university’s top donors will dine as the highlight to a weekend honoring President’s Circle Members.
This year, nearly 550 are set to attend the special annual dinner. With a meal created by Aramark chef Tony Domingue, a message from Dr. Schubert, times of thanksgiving for God’s generosity and student entertainment, university sponsors will spend an evening in ACU community and fellowship.
Saturday’s dinner will also feature a showcase of student talent, with performances from Omega, SHADES and Sanctify dance groups, as well as students from the ACU Theatre department to perform during the dinner.
Established in 1969, the President’s Circle is purposed to bring together those strongest financial supporters and thank them for their investment in the futures of the university and ACU’s students. Invitations to the President’s Circle are those who have given $1,000 or more in the 2012 calendar year to any initiative on campus. Besides members of the President’s Circle, this count also includes members of the Heritage Society, families who have already made plans to bless ACU with a gift from their estate.
Rendi Hahn, campaign coordinator, is part of the committee that has been planning the event for several months.
“We have so many donors who are not interested in recognition, but they do want to know how their gifts are changing students’ lives,” Hahn said. “This event gives them the opportunity to meet students, hear their stories, and share time with other philanthropists who love ACU and her students. I always leave encouraged and excited about all that God is doing.”
Zack Morgan, a senior biology major from Keller, is a member of the Student Alumni Association who will help host the event. Sixteen student representatives from SAA will greet and converse with guests throughout the evening.
“It is important that the donors are able to walk away from the night with a name and a face they can associate with and know that their donations really are making a difference in the lives of individual people,” Morgan said.
Hahn said the dinner is equally beneficial for students as well.
“This encourages our donors as they have the opportunity to meet students whose lives are changed by their generosity – and it blesses those student ambassadors as they see the generous hearts of our donors,” she said.
According to Jennifer Ellison, director of University Events, “This year’s event will be spectacular – but we don’t want to spoil the surprise for our guests. Let’s just say that the innovation that characterizes ACU will be evident in every part of the dinner.”
