Donor Stories

"Chase realized that being part of the Sewanee football community meant he was joining an illustrious band of brothers spanning back over a century."

"I may be in Charleston—hundreds of miles away—but I'm still part of the Sewanee community because I'm contributing to it on such a regular basis."

"[Recurring giving] is out of sight, out of mind—like saving for your retirement."

"It's the landscape that doesn't change—and how precious it is to everybody [at Sewanee]. The landscape roots you to the place."

“To me, Sewanee is like a little piece of heaven on Earth. When you’re there, it doesn’t matter what’s going on around you—you’ll find yourself captivated by its beauty.”

“I just really enjoy giving back. I think it’s fun and fruitful, and I’ll continue to do it as long as I can.”

“When I came up to Sewanee as a freshman, I was never homesick a day in my life—not once. I wanted to be there so badly.” 

“[EfM] really opened me up to the fact that God is much bigger than what our preachers, teachers, and others can describe. It helped me see the overabundance of love and mercy and grace that we receive daily.”

"I think [philanthropy] is a muscle that needs to be flexed. And it's not necessarily always comfortable—so it's better to start early."

"If my kids don't go to Sewanee, or don't even apply or consider it, my investment is still worthwhile."

"My personal theology is, what has been given by God is not given to us—it's given through us, to the world and the church, to be used for God's purposes."

"There's a lot of talent out there, and a place like Sewanee is a great environment for development and for young people to gain exposure to a variety of disciplines."

 “[Sewanee] helped me learn how to deal with people and develop relationships—and that’s been a blessing to me over my career.”

“I was raised to believe that from whom much is given, much is expected."

"It’s important for Sewanee to stay competitive in the world of athletics. We saw a need and have tried to fill it.” 

“[Sewanee graduates] excel because they learn how to think. They learn how to learn. They’re open to new ideas, versus being in a box or having blinders.” 

"[Sewanee graduates] show up at companies and elevate everybody else around them."

"Sewanee started me on a grand adventure."

"Sewanee is just one of those special places—it's an experience that doesn't really end."

"I know giving back will allow people to have the same experiences I did."

"[A Sewanee education] gives you the ability to hold a conversation with anybody, cover any subject, recognize something in common, and to treat people with compassion and respect."

"I looked at other colleges, but Sewanee was a magical place. It still is."

"I wanted students to have access to a university library, and I didn't want [SUMMA] to have a 'church camp' feel. Sewanee was the place I had in mind."

"I think it's important to give back—to lift as you climb."

"I think most people who attended Sewanee feel a real sense of loyalty to the University because they appreciate the friends they made and the great education they received."

"At Sewanee, we want every single thing we do to be excellent."

"I'm excited to help get the word out about how special the University is, and to take part in shaping its next chapter."

"The Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department was a major part of my community experience and continues to be."

"These years at Sewanee have been some of the best of my life. Some of the hardest and most difficult, but also the most beautiful and enriching."

"Bill supported and loved many schools—but Sewanee always came out on top."

"My family didn't grow up with much money, but what we do give, I think we give with great love and with no strings attached."

"I wouldn't be living and working in the United States now if it weren't for Sewanee. It's almost miraculous that I ended up here. I'm eternally grateful."

"One thing I learned from my father is that you should give back to your community. I see Sewanee as my community."

"Sewanee is a part of my family and always will be."

"If I was having trouble with a subject [at Sewanee], it was easy to go talk to any of the professors. You didn't even have to make an appointment. You could knock on their door."

"As a student with varied interests, Sewanee helped me see it was possible to explore many parts of my identity in my professional life."

"Over the years, our family has received a lot of benefits from the University, and that's also a reason we feel compelled to give back—because Sewanee has been such a supportive place to work all these years."

"As a seminarian, I was prepared for stewarding the Episcopal faith in a way that still feels relevant, even as the way the church is expressed in the world is changing."

"Sewanee is such a great liberal arts college, and we felt like it needed to include a facility to accommodate musicians."

"One motivation for my service to Sewanee is the fact that we have so much potential as a university and as a place."

"I have great affection for Sewanee's campus and for the progress that the School of Theology continues to make."

"Whatever I can give, I give. And as I can give more, I give more."

"The more I learn about Sewanee, the more interested I am in giving money to the things I believe need support."

"Sewanee is a beautiful place, and I really feel I want it to succeed in perpetuity."

“We saw a gap that needed to be filled, and it was an area where we thought we could actually make a difference in students’ life and educational experiences.”

“If something is meaningful to you or meaningful to your family—whether it’s an athletic or an arts or an academic program—that’s something worth your support.”

“My children love the place and the space, so I told myself, ‘Whatever we have, we need to plant it here.”

“There’s no price tag that I could put on my education and Sewanee experience, but I can show my gratitude by giving a small amount monthly.”

“I would encourage everyone who has an IRA, and wants to engage in charitable giving, to consider using it.”

“I feel like Sewanee made us more philanthropic-minded. Sewanee creates an environment that encourages you to think outside yourself.”

“It’s easier to have a discipline of giving a little bit every month.”

"Sewanee was a natural choice because of our connections and because of everything the University has done for us."

“Give until it feels good, and I can say that it does feel good to know that you've helped. And it feels especially good at Sewanee because of the appreciation of so many of the people who are positively impacted by Sewanee’s excellent stewardship of their gifts.”