Why We Give

“Carthage College has always offered incredible value, and I’m pleased to be continuing my family’s legacy by adding my support to a beautiful new residential hall.”

The Lentz family name has a long and treasured history at Carthage College. Dr. Harold H. Lentz — who received an honorary doctorate from Carthage in 1987 — presided over Carthage College from 1952 to 1976, and Lentz Hall is named in his honor. Now there’s a new space that further ensures the Lentz legacy will endure for generations to come.

Thomas W. Lentz ’63, trustee emeritus, responded to the College’s call for support for the new Tower Residence Hall with a generous gift that names the Lakeside Lounge for his two children, Thomas J. (T.J.) Lentz and Laura Lentz Gage: The Lentz/Gage Lakeside Lounge.

“Carthage College has always offered incredible value,” said Mr. Lentz, “and I’m pleased to be continuing my family’s legacy by adding my support to a beautiful new residential hall.”

Mr. Lentz, chairman of Global Display Solutions, brings to his Carthage philanthropy the same acuity that has made him successful in business. Recently reviewing letters from students who had been awarded the Lentz Presidential Scholarship, he circled every time a student described a professor as a role model, mentor, or used the word “excited” about a particular class.

He was impressed — and intrigued. The next time he visited campus, he asked students a key question: “What do you like about Carthage College?”

The answers universally pointed to positive interactions with faculty, with responses like: “My professors talk to me outside the classroom; or “During monthly lunches we talk about life.” Other students cited “The absolutely amazing fun I’ve had with biology this year” and “How interesting organic chemistry has been.” Others had a hard time deciding: “I’ve had many eye-opening experiences,” said one student.

That feedback, said Mr. Lentz, is heartening. Citing a Gallup- Purdue University survey of college graduates, he noted that where students go to college has little effect on job satisfaction, “but what made the biggest difference was the quality of the education, and, specifically, a professor who created excitement about learning and teachers who genuinely care.”

Because Carthage faculty do care, he said, the College now ranks among the top educational institutions in the country for improving student cognitive and communication skills. It’s also why he chooses to support Carthage College. “It is an investment in the future leaders of our country,” he said.

When asked about the generous gift, Carthage President John Swallow reflected, “Time and time again, the Lentz family has shown great leadership at Carthage. Their most recent support to name the most prominent lounge in the new tower will provide generations of students an idyllic space in which to live and learn.”

The Lentz/Gage Lakeside Lounge is the largest and most prominent community space in the new resident hall. The Tower adds 126 beds and, by linking two original residence halls, enhances the campus experience with new gathering spaces, lounges, kitchens, seminar rooms, individual study areas, a patio, courtyard, and a sand volleyball court.

“I give to Carthage so that the College can continue to provide life-changing experiences for its students, and so Carthage can maintain a level of excellence in the quality of students, professors, staff, facilities and technology.”

David Wiers ’98 graduated with a degree in business administration and marketing with an emphasis in economics. A past president of the Carthage College Alumni Association, David is the President and Founder of Satori Energy and Managing Partner of Select Energy Partners in Chicago, Ill. He and his wife, Heather, have three children.

“My four years at Carthage had a significant impact on my life. My professors and facility helped guide me through my undergraduate years and helped shape who I am today. I give to Carthage so that the College can continue to provide life-changing experiences for its students, and so Carthage can maintain a level of excellence in the quality of students, professors, staff, facilities and technology.

“I see giving to Carthage as an investment in bettering our collective future and a way to pay it forward. I will always feel a strong connection to Carthage, and I am pleased to give back so that the College can continue to provide the same opportunities for others.”

“Every little bit counts. … It is not about making the largest donations. The contribution itself, no matter the amount, shows an appreciation for an experience Carthage made possible and the desire to ensure the future generations of Carthaginians will have an equally great experience.”

Rachael Kimmerling ’13, of Normal, Ill., graduated from Carthage with a degree in political science and French. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in political science with an emphasis in political theory at the University of Toronto.

“Having just graduated and made the decision to head off to graduate school rather than immediately pursue a full-time job, I understand that I will not be making large donations to Carthage anytime in the immediate future,” Rachael says. But she knows that all gifts to the College make a difference. “Every little bit counts. … It is not about making the largest donations. The contribution itself, no matter the amount, shows an appreciation for an experience Carthage made possible and the desire to ensure the future generations of Carthaginians will have an equally great experience.”

She encourages her fellow young alumni to do the same. “Imagine all that Carthage has already given to you: great opportunities, lasting friendships, not to mention an incredible education,” she says. “Make the same possible for current and future Carthage students.”

“By investing in Carthage, I am helping preserve the opportunity for my children, and other students, to have the same experiences I did.”

Jason Milligan, ’01, graduated with a degree in business administration and marketing. He is a professional sales representative for Ortho-McNeil Inc. and lives in Combined Locks, Wis., with his wife and 2-year-old twins.

“Carthage allowed me the chance to become well-rounded in both social and academic ventures,” he said. “By investing in Carthage, I am helping preserve the opportunity for my children, and other students, to have the same experiences I did. When I think of Carthage, I feel like I am going back to my roots, where I grew into the person I am today. I ask all alumni to look at where they are in life, what they have accomplished, and how they are viewed by their peers, and ask themselves, ‘Where would I be, today, without my experience at Carthage?’”

“Annual giving is an important and vital way to assist in promoting and securing the existence, availability, and future of Carthage for everyone.”

Denny and Jan Lamers are the parents of T.J. Lamers, ’09, who majored in business administration and marketing and played on the Carthage football team. The Lamers family is from Appleton, Wis.

“Being a part of the Carthage family has shown us how far faculty and staff will reach to enhance the lives of current students. Carthage has taught our son a great balance between becoming independent while having a sense of security and discipline to help him in his transition into adulthood. Annual giving is an important and vital way to assist in promoting and securing the existence, availability, and future of Carthage for everyone. We are happy to support what has proven to be such a valuable life opportunity for our son.”

“Carthage was the turning point in my life. The Carthage experience provided me the tools for many of the things I have accomplished since graduating.”

Patrick Anderson graduated from Carthage in 1985 with a degree in history. He is the president of his own law firm and lives in Alexandria, Va.

“Carthage was the turning point in my life. The Carthage experience provided me the tools for many of the things I have accomplished since graduating in 1985, including the courage to start my own law firm upon graduation from law school. I do not believe I could have created a successful business over the last 20 years absent the Carthage experience.

“Unrestricted giving is important because it allows the College to use the money where the need is greatest. If you are contemplating a gift to Carthage, I say, in a time when there are so many notable organizations that need our financial gifts, Carthage must remain at the top. Those gifts will be used to enhance the Carthage experiences of so many young people who will make a difference in so many areas of need in our world. Without your gifts, the world will lose someone who would have made a difference.”