Robert Gipson Matches Alumni Donations towards Campus Center

In 2012, the Board of Trustees decided to go forth with the ACS Campus Master Plan and the Campus Redevelopment Fundraising Drive. The Master Plan aims to transform the ACS campus from its original 1920s set-up to a true 21st century campus. The centerpiece of the plan is the conversion of Ostrander Hall into a student center.

The America for Bulgaria Foundation was the main sponsor, but additional financing needed to be secured.

The family of Nellie and Robert Gipson, which has long standing ties to the school, made an important commitment. They would generously match alumni contributions toward the Master Plan 1:1.

Robert Gipson and his wife Nellie have been great friends and generous donors of the college. Their Tianaderrah Foundation is giving the Polansky and Oberbauer scholarships to ACS students in financial need. Last September, Mr. Gipson was awarded the Cyril and Methodius medal by President Rossen Plevneliev. The prestigious honor was given "for his many years of charity work in support of Bulgarian education, science and culture."

In 2013, the Alumni Fund Advisory Committee announced this to all alumni of the college: "Alumni donations are of utmost importance to the success of this project since every $1 donated brings another $1 towards ACS’ share for the campus redevelopment."

And so the alumni stepped up to the challenge. At the end of the campaign, December 31, 2016, the total amount of their gifts to the Campus Center is 65,954.51 BGN.

Here are some of the high points:

Number of alumni gifts: 247.

Number of unique donors: 123.

19 out of 20 possible classes contributed.

Class of 1997 is the most generous per size of amount donated: total of 26,288.36 BGN.

Classes of 2003 and 1997 share first place in most alumni donors: 16.

Class of 2002 leads in the number of gifts: 43.