$3 million gift from the Class of 1956 highlights Alumni Weekend 2006

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WOOSTER, Ohio - The Class of 1956 announced a gift of $3,072,268, including more than $2.2 million for the college's endowment, at the 122nd annual meeting of The College of Wooster Alumni Association on Saturday. The announcement came as more than 1,300 Wooster graduates and family members returned to campus for Alumni Weekend 2006.

The endowment gift, the largest in the history of the 50-year class reunion program, was the result of a challenge issued by two members of the class last September. The husband and wife, who wished to remain anonymous, pledged to match gifts to the endowment made by their classmates up to a total of $1 million. The class responded to the challenge and then surpassed it by more than $233,000.

"Our strongest desire was to support Wooster's human capital, by strengthening the endowment," said Gerald K. Carlisle, who co-chaired the 50th anniversary fund committee with his wife, Janet Ackerly Carlisle. In addition to the endowment gift, the class also raised more than $315,000 toward the renovation of Kauke Hall, and more than $284,000 for the Wooster Fund over the five years leading up to their reunion.

Another couple from the Class of 1956, Hope Hunter Black and Robert D. Black, were honored with the 26th annual John D. McKee Alumni Volunteer Award for their dedicated service and support for the college over six decades, including 50 consecutive years of support for the Wooster Fund.

Richard Foster '71, Denise Ducharme Reilly '75, and Niall Slater '76 received the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college, nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes independent learning. Each Wooster senior works one-on-one with a faculty mentor to create an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 1,800 students.