Lawrenceville, VA, USA: 7 May 2012
As Saint Paul’s College (SPC) enters the home stretch of its campaign to raise critically-needed funding, the leader of The Episcopal Church in the USA and 15 other nations is calling on the faith community to support the small Church-affiliated college in Lawrenceville, Virginia. At the same time, a legendary American investor with strong ties to The Episcopal Church has stepped forward with a $250,000 challenge grant to help Saint Paul’s achieve its fund-raising goal.
US Congressman Robert C ‘Bobby’ Scott, Saint Paul's College President Eddie N Moore, Jr, Jane Parke Batten, Frank Batten, Jr, the Revd Joseph N Green, Jr, Harvey L Lindsay, Jr and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Paul's College Dr Oliver W Spencer, Jr.
Saint Paul’s launched its ‘Now & Forever’ campaign last November with the goal of raising $5 million. With the 17 May deadline fast approaching, SPC needs to close a $1.2 million gap in the drive.
The fund-raising campaign along with budget right-sizing and organizational re-structuring at Saint Paul’s are key elements in the school’s drive to be reaffirmed with full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in mid-June.
“We are humbled and honored to receive this support in our hour of need,” said Saint Paul’s College chief executive officer and interim president Eddie N Moore, Jr. “For more than a century, Saint Paul’s has evolved with the times but remained united in mission with our founding Church to provide all students – and particularly the under-served – with a strong sense of community, with spiritual guidance, and with a thirst for lifelong learning that would form them for service and leadership.”
Presiding Bishop’s call to action
In an open letter to “Brothers and Sisters in Christ”, the Most Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church writes, “Our challenge is to share the abundance of our lives with these students and this institution, so that all might share in the gifts that are being raised up in classrooms, playing fields, and volunteer programs in Southern Virginia.
“May God continue to bless us with young people who seek the blessings of community, education, achievement, and service that Saint Paul’s College has provided for more than 100 years. I give thanks for your faithful response to this challenge.”
The Bishop’s letter and the grant announcement were shared on 2 May with top business leaders of the Greater Hampton Roads region during a luncheon hosted by Harvey L Lindsay, Jr, Frank Batten, Jr and the Revd Joseph N Green, Jr, all friends of Saint Paul's.
New challenge grant
Investor Charles M Royce and his wife Deborah are offering a $250,000 challenge grant of $1 for every $2 raised of unrestricted gifts through the 17 May deadline. The first $500,000 raised will become $750,000 toward the $1.2 million goal.
“I am keenly aware of how far Saint Paul’s has come in this last year and of President Moore’s leadership in bringing the entire community, students, faculty, staff, board and friends together to reach this new place,” said Royce. “As Episcopalians, we share a deep, spiritual commitment to support educational institutions and strengthen communities. We take pride in Saint Paul’s College and its important mission. With this gift, my wife Deborah and I hope to help ensure that Saint Paul’s College will be able to continue to help young people fulfill their potential and serve and lead in their communities.”
Since 1972, Charles M Royce has been the President and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Royce & Associates, LLC and President of The Royce Funds.
The Revd Canon James G Callaway, General Secretary of Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC), played an instrumental role in introducing Royce to Saint Paul’s College. "CUAC is gratified to participate in Saint Paul’s’ efforts to secure its future”, said Canon Callaway.
“Saint Paul's is one of ten Episcopal Colleges in the 131 CUAC schools on five continents. Formed by faith, these Anglican colleges nurture and educate the whole person. It's not just about a diploma. For almost 125 years Saint Paul’s College has been breaking down barriers to what its graduates can become, accomplish in their lives and bring to their communities. Now, more than ever, the world needs formative colleges like Saint Paul’s and its sister CUAC schools to empower the next generation", added Canon Callaway.
“It’s time for our alumni and friends to be heard”, said Moore. “We have until 17 May to raise $1.2 million, and with it we will help to make sure that this institution serving low-income and first-generation-to-college students that has been the center of educational, cultural and spiritual life in Southside Virginia for more than a century can continue to provide the hope and the means to open the doors of the future.”
About Saint Paul’s College
Founded in 1888 and affiliated with The Episcopal Church, Saint Paul’s College is a private, historically black, accredited, four-year coeducational and culturally diverse liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the rolling hills of Brunswick County in Southern Virginia. Saint Paul’s offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences, teacher education endorsements, pre-professional programs, and the only Single Parent Support System initiative for degree-seeking single parents in Virginia. Saint Paul’s offers an accelerated degree program for working adults in four locations across Virginia including Richmond, Farmville, Franklin, and on Saint Paul’s Lawrenceville campus. Learn more at www.saintpauls.edu.
Media Contacts:
Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC)
The Revd Canon James G Callaway, DD, General Secretary
815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Office: +1 (212) 716-6149
Saint Paul’s College
Kimberly Tetlow, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
115 College Drive, Lawrenceville VA 23868, USA
ovografica@me.com
Mobile/Office: +1 (804) 909-2360
Episcopal Church Center
Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer
815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
nrfox@episcopalchurch.org
Office: +1 (212) 716-6080