Philanthropy is more than a gift given in a single moment in time. It’s the culmination of a vision made tangible and an invitation for those who come after to act upon their vision as well.
Doug ’89 and Sue Ellen Spotts sought to give in such a way that it would inspire recent graduates to give as well.
“It’s so important to see the history of any institution and to learn about the people who have gone before. It’s more than just knowing that alumni have given, it’s knowing the stories of the gifts and why that is important,” says Sue Ellen. “That is the lifeblood of a community. It’s not fixed at any one time or place. It goes on into the future through the continued gifts and visions of those who are students now.”
Relationship, gathering, and presence are at the core of a liberal arts experience. It’s the core of the Juniata Community.
“It’s so important to see the history of any institution and to learn about the people who have gone before. It’s more than just knowing that alumni have given, it’s knowing the stories of the gifts and why that is important,” says Sue Ellen. “That is the lifeblood of a community. It’s not fixed at any one time or place. It goes on into the future through the continued gifts and visions of those who are students now.”
The Spotts set forth a challenge for the members of the Class of 2018. For every gift the seniors gave, they would match it dollar for dollar. In the end, the members of the Class of 2018 donated $48,000, which was matched by Doug and Sue Ellen. Together, two generations of alumni gifted a history display in the Brumbaugh Academic Center and a future room within the Statton Learning Commons.
“It’s absolutely vital for the success of a liberal arts institution to deliver on its mission. We need to be all in and give to our alma mater in whatever way we can,” says Doug, who has served on the alumni council and as an alumni trustee. “Juniata attracts and then develops further lifelong learners and problem solvers who are vital to our society. We need to be conscious of that as an alumni family and to demonstrate it so that others are inspired to give to the best of their ability.”
Recounting a recent experience in which he shared his experiences within a first-year seminar focused on leadership, Doug was impressed to see students from around the world gathered.
“We had Juniata students who were on campus and we had students who were online, including those in China who had gotten up in the wee hours of the morning,” he says. “How exciting is that? Gathering doesn’t have to be either-or, it can be both-and. The Learning Commons is an opportunity to bring the community together in new and exciting ways.”
The creation of the Statton Learning Commons, where future generations of Juniatians can gather and innovate has proven an exciting prospect for all involved.
“This was our way to pay it forward, plus it’s just a really cool project. Think about how that space will be transformed for the future from the traditional to a place for lifelong learning and learning modalities,” Doug says. “Relationship, gathering, and presence are at the core of a liberal arts experience. It’s the core of the Juniata community.”
The Statton Learning Commons will pair new technological options with reimagined spaces geared to optimize connection.
“Continuing to create physical spaces for gathering is important as is making them accessible and attractive. In this era, you don’t have to leave your room or be in physical contact with someone to gather, but we lose something about the human experience if we don’t have in-person contact,” Sue Ellen says. “Relationships develop in different ways and we learn and grow when we share time and space together. It’s the serendipity of seeing something or someone you weren’t expecting to encounter.”
