May 2012

From the President

Early this month Wheaton College awarded diplomas to nearly 600 students from the Class of 2012.  For these students and their families this was a commencement after years of diligent study.  Our graduates heard from Canon Andrew White, called "the Vicar of Baghdad" because he is the leader of the only Anglican church in that war-torn city.  Over 300 members of his congregation have been killed in the ongoing Iraqi conflict.

Canon White described an Easter Service baptism in Saddam Hussein's swimming pool when five US soldiers greeted him--all young Wheaton alumni.  He reminded our graduates that God will use them, has promised to be with them wherever they go, and encouraged them to take risks for Christ.

Commencement Weekend is especially significant for us because while new graduates start a new chapter of their lives, Wheaton alumni graduating 30 to 75 years ago return to campus for reunions.  A member of the 50-year reunion Class of 1962, Dr. William C. Wood, was honored for a lifetime of distinguished service in surgical oncology.  An internationally recognized surgeon, writer and lecturer, for forty years Dr. Wood has lived out his Christian faith in compassionate service to cancer patients and in medical excellence before his professional colleagues.

This dual focus on the same weekend--looking forward with our newest graduates and looking back at God's faithfulness in the lives of Wheaton alumni--is an encouragement to continue giving ourselves with joy to Kingdom work.  We give thanks for your student, and that you partner with us in praying for Wheaton College.

In Christ’s service,

Philip G. Ryken

President

Visit WETN to hear Dr. Ryken's Baccalaureate address, "Was it Worth the Investment?" and Canon Andrew White's Commencement Address.  

Dean's List and Commencement press releases

Making the Dean's List or earning a diploma is an exciting time for parents. If your student is a Dean's List scholar or graduated this past semester, and you would like to share the news, a Request form is available. The Media Relations office at Wheaton College will create a press release written specifically about your student and email the final press release back to you. You may then forward the press release on to your local media outlets for coverage. You can expect to receive your press release within 2-3 weeks of submission. If you have questions, please email Media.Relations@wheaton.edu.

Class of 2012 sets a new giving record!

Congratulations to the Class of 2012, who reached a record 81% class participation for their senior class gift project! A quarter of the $6,400 raised is designated for the Wheaton Fund, demonstrating class members’ desire to give back and to help keep Wheaton financially accessible for future generations. The balance supports Wheaton’s Global and Experiential Learning initiative by helping to supplement tuition costs for international students in need. You can view the full senior class gift Commencement presentation online.

Young Alumni Giving Challenge.  New this year is a special giving program for young alumni called We10 Associates. The goal of this program is to provide young alumni with the opportunity for meaningful connection to Wheaton College through giving, communication and events. A We10 Associates commitment starts at $300 per year / $25 per month, and all gifts support current and future Wheaton students through the Wheaton Fund.

This spring, a generous donor challenged Wheaton’s young alumni to join We10 Associates by matching dollar-for-dollar the first one-hundred We10 Associates-level gifts made by June 30^th. Wheaton’s young alumni rose to the challenge by reaching and exceeding the goal of one-hundred We10 Associates well before June 30^th!  

The Wheaton Fund.  The Wheaton Fund helps close the margin between a good education and a truly excellent education, allowing Wheaton to remain affordable to the largest spectrum of students possible. Gifts to the Wheaton Fund benefit each and every Wheaton student by helping to keep tuition as low as possible – an issue more critical today than ever before. 

 The Wheaton Fund 2011/2012 fiscal-year-end goal is $4,497,000. As of today, May 22, we are 84% of the way toward our goal with about $704,000 left to raise by June 30^th. Thank you to all of the alumni, parents, and friends of Wheaton who faithfully, generously, and thoughtfully support the College through prayer and financial gifts. Every person makes a difference!

Connect with fellow parents at a Summer Social!

Every summer, Wheaton families across the country volunteer to host backyard gatherings that connect current Wheaton students and their families with incoming Wheaton students and their families for a social event. These socials are a great way to meet other families from your region, plan ride-shares, and welcome incoming students to Wheaton life!

Invitations to these socials will be emailed to all families living within a 100-mile radius of each location. Check out the list of this summer's gatherings to see if a social is being held in your region:

Wheaton in Network (WiN)

You may have received an email inviting you, as a parent, to join Wheaton in Network (WiN). WiN is a new online tool that gives students the opportunity to search for and connect with advisors and mentors from the Wheaton family.

On Wednesday, March 21, Alumni Relations invited students to join WiN. Participating in WiN is one of the best ways for students to connect with the alumni community, to broaden their network, and to get practical advice as they identify their calling. Over 500 students signed up in one day! Feel free to encourage your son or daughter to sign up as soon as possible.

For more information on ways you or your student can participate, visit win.wheaton.edu or contact win@wheaton.edu.

Wheaton Bookstore and Campus Stores

Looking for a great summer read?  Our One College, One Book book for 2012-13 is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a novel by Rebecca Skloot.  Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to read the book this summer and return to campus primed to discuss it in the fall.  Many parents joined us in reading the 2011-12 choice: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, and we invite you to share in this selection too.  The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is available for purchase at www.wheatonbooks.com.

Also, is your student preparing to purchase a new or updated computer this fall?  HP has teamed up with Wheaton College to offer you the opportunity to purchase award-winning HP and Compaq consumer products at discounted prices. Visit wheatonbooks.com for information and direct links.

Lastly, we invite you to be watching this July for our newly-designed website (still at the same web address!) and for exciting information about our bigger and better textbook rental service.  Students will be able to rent textbooks directly through our website or in-person through our store.