As our lives change so do our priorities. Work, spouses, children, and civic commitments are all pieces of life’s puzzle that deserve our attention. Rightly so, as these things make us who we are. They define us.
We ask you to reflect on your life and your priorities. How did you get to where you are? How did you become the person you are today? For us, Acacia played a big role in the men we are today.
Your friends, your career, your family—do you see Acacia in any of them? Setting priorities is no easy task, but we hope that you would consider your affiliation with Acacia Illinois to be one that you hold close to your heart.
So far, 28 alumni have shown their devotion to Acacia Illinois by contributing more than $5,000 to help the Acacia Alumni Scholarship Award Program (ASSAP) provide scholarships to deserving brothers. Unfortunately, without reaching our $20,000 goal, the ASSAP is unable to grant any monetary awards to deserving brothers.
In order for the chapter to grow and improve, it must remain a priority with each of its alumni. Your support is critical in keeping Acacia Illinois strong for future members. The undergraduates have been hard at work maintaining a strong GPA of 3.1, ranking our chapter 24th out of 40 fraternities. Additionally, AJ Melarkey ’14 received the bronze tablet by sustaining a GPA that placed him in the top 2% of his respective college. It is our job as alumni to recognize these achievements by supporting our undergraduates.
The scholarship program was established in 2013 by the Corporation Board with the vision it would generate positive results on the academic front. The AASAP currently honors brothers, who fulfill the live-in requirement and have completed at least 24 credit hours in the year, in the following categories:
- Straight-A students (4.0 GPA)
- Highest GPA (under a 4.0) for freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior
All funding for this very important and worthy program comes from committed alumni, like you. With your support, not only can we foster a Culture of Academic Excellence, we can develop more of tomorrow’s leaders.
Please consider this opportunity and help the organization that made such an impact on your life. By making Acacia Illinois a priority, you are establishing its importance to you and providing deserving young men with an opportunity to further the legacy of success established at Acacia Illinois.
We invite you to help us reach our $20,000 goal by giving back to Acacia Illinois this year. Please consider joining the Founding Member level with a tax-deductible gift of $500 or more to the Acacia Alumni Scholarship Award Program 2019-2020.
If $500 is more than you would like to contribute this year, please consider a contribution of $250, $100 or $50. No matter what amount you choose, we hope you will make an investment in Acacia Illinois and the bright young men who prepare the way for a better tomorrow.
Make your gift today, while you are thinking about it. Contribute online at acacia.org. Simply click “Donate Online” in the lower right-hand corner and ensure you select “Illinois Scholarship Fund” from the drop-down menu. You can make a one-time gift or set up a recurring charge to your credit card or draft from your checking account—whatever suits you best.
Your gift will be placed in a special account with the Acacia Fraternity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization utilized only by Acacia Fraternity at the University of Illinois to support academic and educational initiatives. Every gift makes a difference!
We are proud of the decision we made long ago to join this fraternity and even more proud of what it stands for. A keen focus on scholarship and leadership is what sets Acacia apart from other fraternities. We must cultivate it and encourage each generation to strive for even greater success.
We will continue to support our beloved chapter. We hope you will, too.
Sincerely,
Arthur E. Mertes ’88
President
Acacia Illinois Alumni Board
Joel Grachan ’06
Chapter Advisor
Acacia Illinois Alumni Board
P.S. Please consider including the Acacia Illinois Scholarship Fund in your legacy or estate gift planning. If you would like more information about how to do so, please contact us directly and Acacia can help you set up your endowment and legacy for the Acacia Illinois Chapter with an appropriate level of special recognition.
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