Hi! My name is Kristen Vargo and I’m a junior here at Muhlenberg College studying history and secondary education. I love attending Muhlenberg because of the beautiful campus, the small classes and the opportunity to receive an outstanding liberal arts education. Read more to see what life at ’Berg is like now.

Here in Ettinger I attend my favorite class, a seminar on World War I taught by Dr. Robert Croskey. The discussion is always interesting and helps me to view the past from a variety of perspectives.

Here at the Trexler Library, I spend time studying and doing research. Recently, I spent many late nights here while writing a paper about colonial America.

Here at the Life Sports Center, I come to work out at the end of the day. I coach a local softball team, so staying fit is very important to me.

Now I need your help. The Muhlenberg Fund makes my amazing ’Berg experience possible by providing top-notch faculty, a quiet place to study and the chance to exercise in a comfortable, modern facility. Will you make a gift to The Muhlenberg Fund?

Make an online gift at muhlenberg.edu/makeagift, call 1-800-859-2243 or mail a check made payable to Muhlenberg College to 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104.

The 2011-2012 Faculty and Staff Campaign Committee and President Randy Helm unveil the plaque that lists all employees who made a gift to the College. The plaque hangs proudly on display in Seegers Union. l-r: Corey Goff, Jim Peck, Deb Kipp P’04, P’06, President Randy Helm, Kelly Cannon, Ellen Pothering ’89, P’07, Joe Spirko P’11, Lora Taub-Pervizpour.

By Romina Wiekel, Associate Director of Communication and Donor Relations

Kelly Cannon remembers with clarity when he decided to support The Muhlenberg Fund. He had worked at the College as the outreach and scholarly communication librarian since 1996, but invitations from the development office had always fallen on his “profoundly deaf ears.”

Kelly Cannon

A student worker in the library changed everything. “While I didn’t know the finances of this student, I knew that as a student worker, he had some level of financial need. He was on the track team, did well in his classes and from my perspective, was meticulous and thoughtful in his work,” says Kelly. “When he graduated he joined the Peace Corps. He left Muhlenberg and set off for Africa, filled with hope that he could make a difference.”

“I read about The Muhlenberg Fund and how it supports so many students, and suddenly it all became clear,” says Kelly. “I decided that I should make a reasonable gift through payroll deduction, not only because I derive my livelihood from the College and want it to continue to thrive, but also because I would hate to see deserving students miss out on the Muhlenberg experience due to financial need.” Kelly has been making monthly gifts to the College since March 2010.

Fortunately many other employees have joined Kelly and demonstrated their commitment to Muhlenberg – in 2011–2012, more than 61% made a gift to the College. “When submitting grant requests, we are always asked to report what percentage of alumni, faculty and staff make gifts to the College,” says Deb Kipp, associate vice president of development. “Receiving this level of support from faculty and staff demonstrates that we believe in the mission and goals of our institution and Muhlenberg is a good philanthropic investment.”

The Faculty and Staff Campaign Committee, led by Deb and comprised of members from various departments across campus, was created to raise employee awareness about the importance of The Muhlenberg Fund. Kelly has become such a proponent of supporting The Muhlenberg Fund that he now serves on the committee himself!

To find out more about employee giving, you can contact Kelly, Deb or any of the committee members: Joe Spirko, Jr. P’11, Custodial Supervisor Laura L. Edelman, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology Corey Goff, Athletic Director Jim Peck, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Theatre and Dance Department Ellen G. Pothering ’89, P’07, Controller Lora Taub-Pervizpour, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Media and Communication