WHY WE GIVE continued from previous page Why People Give to Springfield College
iN GENERAL, the reasons people give to Springfield College center around a personal connection they have with the College. The motivations can be a sense of family and community, the Humanics philosophy, personal experiences or the culture of tradition that shaped them as people. Some think that the type of people attracted to attend Springfield College in the helping professions, teaching, coaching, training, and counseling easily and naturally gravi- tate toward giving and volunteering. The sense that
“When something is this positive you want to keep it going ... I think we are put here to serve each other, at Springfield College and in general.”
Ellen Demos Bletsos ’83, G’87
Springfield College is an extended family is motivation to give. in the case of Ellen Demos Bletsos ’83, G’87—the family ties are very real; Ellen’s mother Florence Demos was bursar in the business office for about 37 years and Ellen’s children participated in many activities and programs at the College. Bletsos works in the accounts
payable department at Springfield College and gives to the College because of its warm and upbeat environment. “When something is this positive you want to keep it going. i come from a family that always served the community and i think we are put here to serve each other, at Springfield College and in general. our true treasures are family, friends, and the people around us,” she tells Triangle. in addition to donating, Ellen serves on the Administrative Committee, and volun- teers on Humanics Day, the Relay for Life, and on the Accreditation Committee. She has also been active with the international Center, taking an interest in international students and helping them adjust to life here. As a spokesperson for the College’s annual campaign, Bletsos urged her co-workers to give to Springfield College: “My family and i stand very proud to support Springfield College in all that we say and do while on and off campus. We assist where we can during working hours and after hours and have fond memories and lasting friendships both here and abroad. We continue to support Springfield College with our monetary donations, which represent for us a token of the pride and faith we have in Springfield College and also in
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our college family which consists of all of you and your families.” For Bletsos, Springfield College people are “all in this together.” The Humanics philosophy and the size of the school
contribute to a special kind of community that makes Springfield College a place worthy of giving. “it’s not just a question of people coming here to get a degree so they can succeed in the workplace, it’s about coming to be in a community in a formative period in their lives and then taking that enriched experience with them into the rest of their lives. it’s hard for some young people to appreciate that until they’ve had time to experience life. So a year or two out from graduation they realize what a wonderful opportunity and experience they had and giving follows,” says Dan Russell. The virtues of character and integrity that are taught at
Springfield College also motivate alumni to give back to the school. “When graduates leave campus, get jobs and are influenced by a new culture—it is then that they understand what Springfield College gave them by way of preparation. These alums possess those virtues and start living them more as they mature. There is an appreciation for what they were taught and they know they have a responsibility to make sure it is maintained,” says Heard. Non-graduate donors such as Julius Jones have similar
reasons for giving: “i’m a graduate of Morehead College, did graduate work at Tennessee State, but only took courses at Springfield College. So why do i gravitate towards giving to Springfield College? Because i liked what i saw them doing with young people—particularly in preparing them for a life of service to others through the Humanics philosophy. That is what draws me to give to Springfield College and to call on others to do the same.” Allison Cumming-McCann sees a profile in students
attracted to Springfield College that enhances giving. “i think we attract unique students. An overwhelming number are the first generation from their families to attend college and have middle-class, hard-working values. We help develop these incredible young people into adults who go out and do good and are very willing to give back, it’s just part of who they are,” she explains. Laraine Robison agrees. “i think Springfield College
attracts students, faculty, and staff who come here because of our whole culture of giving back. A compassionate type person is attracted to Springfield College. They naturally and instinctively want to help and give back to make things better. There’s an ‘i’ll do anything. What do you need?’ mentality. We hear a lot of ‘i am the person i am today because of Springfield College and i want someone else to benefit from the same experience i had.’ Like Bletsos says, it’s kind of a family—it’s special, and you want others to have it too. For us that translates into ‘i can give to the
TRIANGLE 1 Vol . 83, No. 2
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