Geneva Academic Foundation kicks off 2013 endowment campaign
The Geneva Academic Foundation (GAF) kicked off its 2013 'Viking Voyage to Excellence' Endowment Campaign on May 13th with the Official Unveiling of the GAF Viking Ship. The event took place at Geneva High School and was quite the festive affair. The ship was covered by a Viking blue sheet until the time in the program came for the unveiling. Then Honorary Chairperson Mayor Kevin Burns gave the cue for the music to start and the theme from '2001, A Space Odyssey' filled the air. With a dramatic flourish the sheet was removed and the GAF Viking Ship revealed.
The 7' x 10' walnut and maple Viking Ship display was built by Geneva craftsman Tom Kohorst. It was designed by Geneva High School art teacher and local artist Al Ochsner. The ship is modeled after the Viking Ship replica “Viking” that sailed from Norway to Chicago for the 1893 Columbian Exhibition and is presently housed in Good Templar Park.
The ship is the focal point of the 2013 'Viking Voyage to Excellence' Endowment Campaign. In lieu of a Giving Tree, the GAF Endowment Committee decided to pursue the building of a Viking Ship. The Donation Levels reflect the Viking theme of the campaign (Valhalla, Odin, Thor, Valkyrie, Freya, Explorer, and Voyager). The Donor Recognition Emblems continue the theme by recognizing donors with engraved Viking Helmets for mid-level donations and engraved Viking Shields on the side of the ship for larger donations.
The Geneva Academic Foundation 'Viking Voyage to Excellence' Endowment Campaign grew out of a desire to provide a more stable funding source for the annual GAF grants. Each year, GAF funds grants to pay for supplemental programs, equipment and educational resources that enhance and enrich the educational experience of students at each school in Geneva. The grants are based upon requests by teachers. Some of the grants funded in past years include:
Microscopes*Computers & Software* Interactive Smart Boards*Math Manipulatives*Art Kilns
Portable Document Cameras*S.P.A.R.K. Chemistry System*Heart Monitors*Animal Skeletons
Fitness Equipment*Starlab*GTV Studio and Equipment*Reading Aides*Library Books
In 1987, the Geneva Academic Foundation (GAF) was started by parents and teachers in order to fund computers for the schools, at that time considered an 'extra'. Now, computers are considered an essential and critical aspect of a student's education. GAF, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, continues to fund grant items that enhance and enrich the education of Geneva students, our next generation.
Since its inception in 1987, GAF has relied on the support of parents, friends, and businesses for funding, holding an annual membership drive and several fundraisers throughout the year. As school budgets become tighter, the role of the GAF grows increasingly important in the education of Geneva students.
In an effort to provide a more stable source of funding for the grants, the GAF Board decided to focus on growing the GAF Endowment Fund, originally started in the mid 1990's. This led to the 2013 'Viking Voyage to Excellence' Endowment Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise $1,000,000 for the GAF Endowment Fund.
Other speakers at the event included GAF Chairperson Laura Zuzuly who gave an overview of the campaign, GAF Endowment Honorary Chairperson Mayor Kevin Burns who stressed the need to give back to our community, GHS Principal Tom Rogers, GHS Science Department Head Kevin Gannon, and GHS English Teacher Heather Peters who all spoke of the importance of GAF to the Geneva schools.
The 2013 GAF 'Viking Voyage to Excellence' Endowment Campaign is truly a community effort. Geneva schools are strong for many reasons, but a main one is because of the strong commitment to schools by the Geneva community. For more information on the 2013 'Viking Voyage to Excellence' Endowment Campaign, visit the GAF website at www.gafgeneva.org or email gafaware1@sbcglobal.net.