Fall 2009 eNews Message from President Helen Drinan

Dear Alumna/us,

I am very excited to announce that Simmons is embarking on its largest campaign in the history of the College. The Board of Trustees voted in October to endorse a goal of $85 million for the Making Education Work campaign, which will run until June 2014.

As president of the College and an alumna of two of its graduate schools, I am extremely proud that our trustees have embraced this ambitious goal. They have demonstrated their confidence in the College and their strong belief that Simmons deserves bold philanthropic support in the coming years. Just as our trustees and corporators are choosing to make Simmons a top priority in their giving for this Campaign, so am I inviting every member of our community to do the same.

The Making Education Work campaign is a back-to-basics initiative that will raise money for practical and essential initiatives. It will focus on helping to make Simmons more affordable for deserving students by ramping up funds for financial aid and scholarships. The Campaign also will help to enhance our core academic strengths by providing funds for research opportunities, internships, and study-abroad programs.

You can learn more about the Campaign in the next issue of the SIMMONS magazine, which should arrive at your home in the next several weeks. You also can visit the Campaign website at www.simmons.edu/makingeducationwork. On the site, you will find a place to "Tell Your Story" about how Simmons has mattered in your life. Many of your fellow Simmons community members have already done so. I encourage you to take a minute and consider how you have been inspired by Simmons, and how Simmons has made a difference in your life. Think of how much Simmons will matter to the next generation of students, and support their education by making a gift today to the Making Education Work campaign.

I hope you feel as proud and grateful as I do to be part of the Simmons community. Please help me to spread information about — and enthusiasm for — this important campaign and its impact on our future.

Warmly,

Helen