Recently I have been thinking about all the things that you, our donors and supporters, help us to do in the lives of students. It is really amazing when you think about the opportunities that our students have.

In just the last two weeks, Jewell students have had wonderful chances to do things that are life-changing. Three William Jewell debate teams are ranked in the top 25 teams in the nation this week according to the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence team rankings. The national rankings of nearly 650 debate teams are based on performances at tournaments throughout the year, and include institutions like the University of California, Berkley, Rice University, and Notre Dame. As we go to press, Jewell sophomores Kevin Garner and Lilia Toson are ranked 5th nationally. Junior Phil Fuhrman and sophomore Luke Landry are ranked 22nd followed by senior Clark Quigley and sophomore Royce Reding in 23rd. Jewell's debate teams are led by Dr. Gina Lane, professor and chair of the Department of Communications. Our women's and men's soccer teams both played in their respective national tournaments; one student interviewed in Washington, D.C. for a very prestigious (only twelve recipients) international graduate fellowship; Ray Taylor qualified for the national cross-country meet; symphonic band, jazz band, Concert Choir and the Chamber Singers all performed concerts; and the entire community had the opportunity to hear Dr. Bill Neaves speak on the topic of “When Does Life Begin.”

Dr. Neaves is president of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City . Stowers is rapidly becoming one of the premier research facilities in the world. Dr. Neaves' focus is on the earliest minutes of human life. This discussion, currently framed as a discussion of early stem cell research and abortion, has been going on for hundreds of years. Dr. Neaves shared with us not only the scientific facts about fertilization, cell division, and implantation, but also the philosophical and religious aspects of the question. Ultimately, he said, each person must choose his or her own answer to the question of when life begins based on their own values and beliefs in light of the scientific facts. Dr. Neaves would not have been here if not for the generosity of donors who want us to address the toughest questions with the help of the country's best thinkers.

I recently met one of the students who heard Dr. Neaves speak that night. When we visited, she was working one of her thirty hours per week at a local restaurant. She is also taking eighteen hours this semester as a biology major and doing an internship at an area hospital. She is not in band or athletics or debate or any of the many other organizations that add excitement to the undergraduate experience. But she is excited. She is working hard to get a degree from a great science program. She is focused; she is motivated; she is happy to be doing what she is doing because it will get her ready for what comes next. She would not be here if not for the generosity of donors who want Jewell to produce outstanding graduates.

Outstanding athletic teams and musical organizations would not be able to perform if not for the generosity of donors who care about the education of the whole student and who recognize that excellence is the goal in every area of the College.

Many of our graduates will do great things that will be recognized nationally and internationally; many will do great things that will be recognized mainly by their clients or students or church members; many will do great things that will be recognized by their families. All of what our graduates accomplish will be valuable and, we hope, appreciated, whether widely recognized or not. Gifts make a difference. We could not do what we do in the lives of students without them.

Thank you.