Young Alumni Hope to Inspire With Gift

Earlham educates its students with both an academic and social focus — preparing them for their lives after college, but also planting the seeds for them to grow as conscientious citizens of a global society. The results of this distinctive aspect of the Earlham experience often can't be qualified through figures and statistics. Rather, it's the stories our alumni share that show how students and graduates of Earlham College are making differences in the world.

One such story is that of Chris Maddocks '01 and Ariel Hearne-Maddocks '02. Only seven and eight years removed from their undergraduate degrees, and with a newborn son at home, they have stretched to make a generous and inspiring contribution to benefit the arts and the Earlham Fund, at a time when such gifts are greatly needed.

"Giving to Earlham is important to us," said Chris. "After seeing the school be so generous in its financial aid program, and reading about the status of the endowment, it became a priority. We both received aid while we were students, and it's important to give back to benefit today's students."

Ariel added her own thoughts. "We'd love to inspire friends and peers through our giving. Everybody who's gone to Earlham has gotten so much from the College; and even though you might have your own bills, the school's need exceeds that."

Chris and Ariel had been giving to Earlham every year, but saw an opportunity to target their giving to the arts and the Earlham Fund when Purpose and Passion: The Campaign for Earlham was announced. Even though neither had majored in art as undergraduates — Ariel double-majored in journalism and management and Chris double-majored in politics and religion — both used the arts facilities in various classes and harbor a passion for arts in general.

Chris and Ariel's gift will help support the construction of a new center for the arts, with updates, upgraded and expanded facilities and resources for every program in the arts. Their commitment to the Earlham Fund will go to immediate use to ensure a healthy, thriving Earlham College.

"Chris and I have talked about how we could be responsible citizens, and we felt we could through giving — through making a commitment now," explained Ariel.

Chris agreed. "There are a lot of ways to engage and make a difference in the world, and this is one of them."