News

As Regent anticipates and prepares for its fiftieth anniversary celebration next summer, the College’s Advancement team is very excited to announce a matching gift opportunity for new donors. One of our graduates has generously pledged to match every gift to the Fifty Forward Fund made by a first-time Regent donor, up to a total of $50,000! To take advantage of this unique opportunity, please visit the Fifty Forward Fund giving page.

Director of Advancement Richard Thompson (ThM ’00) explains the impact of gifts to the fund this way:

“Last year donors paid for almost 30 percent of Regent’s operating budget. That represents about $2 million not charged to students. I’d love to see our amazing donor community commit to surpassing that 30 percent mark. If we could see 35 or 40 percent of Regent’s budget funded by donations, that would be a game-changer for students. This matching gift offer represents an act of incredible generosity by one individual and a marvelous opportunity for this entire community."

Richard also described the background of this initiative.

“The Fifty Forward Fund itself is new, but it reflects a reality as old as the College itself,” he said. “Donors have been making Regent more affordable from the very beginning, and alumni donations have been subsidizing Regent students for decades. The Fifty Forward Fund aims to make that link more explicit. We want to help alumni see how their generosity is making a difference to current and future students.”

Alumni and Church Involvement Officer Christina Lui (MCS ’06) shares a similar perspective.

“Past, present, and future students come together through alumni giving,” she said. “I love that we’re highlighting that relationship as we celebrate fifty years. I think Fifty Forward reminds alumni that they are vital to the College’s future, and reminds current students that they’re upheld by people who know what it’s like to be in their shoes, alumni who are cheering them on.

"The Fifty Forward Fund is basically about gratitude and commitment. I meet so many former students who are transformed by their experience at Regent. It is my hope that grateful alumni will consider how they can give back to this community in the future.”

To learn more about the Fifty Forward Fund and this matching gift opportunity, visit Regent's giving page.