From a chapel speech during Tuition Freedom Fest 2007:
My name is Jared Stoltzfus and I graduated way back in 2005 with a Biology degree.
Following grad, I spent a summer studying for the Medical College Admission Test, then went to Guatemala for 3 months of service with a recently reopened hospital in the highlands.
When I got back I worked construction for a few months, got married, then started my current job as Stream Health Coordinator for the city of Harrisonburg.
I was asked to speak this morning about the impact that EMU had in shaping me, and at first wasn’t sure at all how to answer the question. Looking at the things I’ve done since freshman year, and who I am now the answer is a lot easier than I expected.
First of all I should say I had an awesome four years here. The dorm experience, 4 years of intramurals, barn dances, weekend movies, late night socializing and everything else that goes into college life was fantastic.
Academically, the rigors of the science department got me whipped into shape to take the MCAT, and steered me towards a career in medicine. I also had incredible opportunities to expand my worldview through a trip to Cuba with Chamber Choir, and cross cultural to the middle east.
The middle east especially challenged my faith, political views, and lifestyle in general. It was after living with a host family in Palestine that I decided I should raise chickens.
That little project has expanded to include a ‘recycling’ project of sorts, feeding leftover cafeteria food to 3 pigs, with the help of Earthkeepers club. Senior year I did an independent study on sustainability, and took a closer look at how my lifestyle choices affect the world around me. I have a deeper appreciation for gardening, biking, and shopping at the farmers market because of that.
I also was given the chance to do an internship with the previous Stream Health Coordinator senior year, which led to my desire to be involved in the local community, and eventually got me the job I have now.
The gentle encouragement we receive throughout all 4 years at EMU to become servants in the world made taking 3 months to go to Guatemala an easy decision. I had hoped that 3 months at a hospital would give me the motivation to enter med school the following year, but the entire region changed less than a month after I arrived. Mudslides wiped out the hospital, and the city was filled with volunteers, NGO’s and other relief organizations. To make a VERY long story short, the trip ended up making me think about other careers that would be extremely fulfilling, and make a positive impact in the world.
So where do tuition and donors fit into all this? I never gave it much consideration when I was a student, but none of what I experienced would have been possible without the support of donors.
The Commons was completed just before my freshman year, and relied on donations from alumni to make it happen. I was part of the Honors program, and anyone getting any sort of financial aid packages have donors to thank.
Even those paying full tuition are benefiting from donations, and that’s what today is all about. What’s really unfortunate is that every one of you will make donations annually to the state schools.
It’s called taxes.
If every one of you also make donations to EMU annually, you’ll help improve the college experience for everyone who comes later. What’s nice is that we already know how our experiences have been improved by past donations.
In addition the buildings we use, walking around campus you’ll see little plaques thanking donors, and classes for their contributions. Before too long we’ll have a new science center, and donors to thank.
I’m in charge of planning the annual Blacks Run Clean Up Day, which requires raising a lot of money. I’ve been overwhelmed by the willingness of businesses, and individuals to give money, time, and other resources to something they believe in.
The Student Initiated Endowment Fund was started by a group of students that believed in the university, and wanted to provide financial aid to students in need.
For those of you who don’t know how an endowment works, the idea is that your donation will grow, and keep on giving.
A percentage of the interest earned is spent each year on financial aid, and every year the amount given away can increase. So far that fund has a little over 100,000 dollars in it, and is growing.
Through work I’ve been exposed to a number of other endowments, and must say I’m a big fan. First and foremost it’s an endowment left by a local philanthropist that pays my salary.
Endowments pay for the upkeep of the cemetery, pay for downtown restoration efforts, and contribute to a number of charities.
A friend at Princeton told me they have several billion dollars in endowments- enough to pay all faculty and staff, and make school free for all students, without ever running out of money.
What would EMU do if there were extra money around? Reduce tuition? Improve the dorms? Run the whole campus on solar power? We’ll only find out if we can make it happen.
