Development Office
By Christie S. Hutchens
To put it simply, the staff in the Development Office
are fundraisers and friend raisers for WCC. Committed
to the mission of WCC and proud to be able to contrib
ute to the success of the college, the staff contributes
time, talent, and hard work to enhance the lives of our
students, faculty, staff, and community members.
The largest fundraising effort for WCC, MerleFest,
contributes an average of $577,000 to the college an
nually. Since its humble beginnings in 1988, Mer
leFest has grown substantially and continually brings
visitors and dollars to WCC. Originally the purpose of
MerleFest was to raise funds for the Doc and Merle
Watson Garden for the Senses. Since the garden’s
completion in 1997, MerleFest contributes to many
areas of need at WCC. Scholarships, equipment, fac
ulty and staff development, construction and renova
tion are just a few examples.
MerleFest is not the only fundraising event coordi
nated by the Development Office staff In October of
each year, college supporters and golf fans gather at
Oakwoods Country Club for the Henry Moore Golf
Classic. This 22-year-old event has become a signifi
cant fundraiser and one of the premier golf tourna
ments in the region. Development Office staff plan and
manage special event fundraisers such as the New
Year’s Eve Celebration and WCC Endowment Gala.
The Development Office also partners with the NFL
Alumni/Shriners Charity Golf Classic, and Swing for
Charity. Through this partnership, WCC receives siz
able donations from each event in exchange for assis
tance in planning the events. The Henry Moore Golf
Classic, New Year’s Eve Celebration, NFL Alumni/
Shriners Golf Classic and Swing for Charity bring an
average total of $230,000 to WCC each year. The staff
continually evaluates new ideas for events that will
raise funds and increase community involvement with
our college.
You may wonder who decides where the funds go and
how the Development Office should go about raising
funds. The Development Office staff must work
closely with both the Endowment Board and the Ad
ministrative Council to define goals and strategize on
how to reach those goals. The Administrative Council
identifies the college’s needs and goals in a long range
plan and communicates the top priorities to the Devel
opment Office. Once the goals are prioritized, the De
velopment Office sets out to secure funds to make
those goals a reality. The Endowment Board is com
prised of local community members who assist the
Development Office staff in deciding the best methods
to raise funds and implementing these ideas. These
community members volunteer their time and talents
to steer the direction of the Development Office cam
paigns and they contribute to events by recruiting par
ticipants and helping with behind the scenes work.
Presently, funding the construction of the new Science
and Technology building is the primary goal outlined
by the Administrative Council. Currently 91 % of the
$8.4 million goal has been met. When the goal has
been met and the building completed, it will be time
for the Administrative Council to determine a new
goal for the Development Office’s fundraising efforts.
The Development Office relies on two main strategies
to raise funds, events and direct solicitations. Many
individuals and businesses have made generous dona
tions to WCC and our county and town governments
have also assisted when possible. The Development
Office staff works to cultivate relationships with indi
viduals, businesses, and government to benefit WCC
and our community.
Donors to WCC are not always contributing money,
many contribute time as well. The Development Office
serves the needs of WCC by providing volunteer sup
port year round in areas such as tutoring, the library,
grounds and events. In 2004, volunteers donated
53,565 hours to WCC.
The Development Office ensures that the public is
aware of all the happenings at WCC by sharing news
with local media, groups and individuals whenever
possible. Educating the public of the vital role WCC
plays in the community is always on the minds of the
Development staff Through marketing and public
information efforts, the staff position WCC as the hub
of educational and cultural activity in Wilkes and sur
rounding counties.
The events held at the Walker Center, including the
Walker Center Season Shows, Add-On Shows, and
School Events, are managed by the Development Of
fice staff These events are one way WCC improves
quality of life with cultural activities. Program and
brochure design, talent booking, volunteer recruitment,
and overall event coordination fall under the responsi
bility of Development Office staff members. Staff
members are always present at these events to ensure
that everything goes well and guests to our campus are
pleased with their experience.
The Development Office raises funds, increases com
munity involvement and awareness, and contributes to
the overall success of the college. The staff know the
value of their efforts every time a new building goes
up, a classroom receives much needed equipment, or a
community member comments on the successes going
on at Wilkes Community College.