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As cliché as it might sound, most Obies gravitate toward a volunteer opportunity like ducks take to water. That’s no surprise – learning and labor is woven into the very fabric of Oberlin’s history. But the same Obie who is willing to volunteer as a career counselor or admissions representative for Oberlin is often uncomfortable when asked to support their alma mater through a gift to the Oberlin Alumni Fund.
 Mathilda McGee-Tubb ’07, however, has decided to do both. McGee-Tubb volunteers as both a class trustee and class agent, and – in the two years since she graduated – has donated her matriculation fee and made an annual gift to the Alumni Fund. Recently, McGee-Tubb was asked to increase her annual gift to the Alumni Fund to $250, which made her a member of the John Frederick Oberlin (JFO) Society.
Although the JFO Society has existed at Oberlin for many years, membership was reserved for alumni who made an annual gift of $1,833 or more to the Alumni Fund. This year, however, giving levels were established for Oberlin’s youngest alumni. Now, alumni who graduated in 2005 – 2009 can become members of the JFO society by making a gift of $250, while alumni who graduated in 1999 – 2004 can become JFO donors by making a gift of $500. This year, five graduates from the classes of 2005-2009 and three graduates from the classes of 1999-2004 gave at this level.
When asked why she decided to give at the JFO level this year, McGee-Tubb replied: “Growing up, I watched my mother write checks at Christmastime to the places and organizations that we loved. I never really understood what a few dollars here and there could do, or what this gesture meant, until I became older and got involved with non-profit organizations on my own.”
Prior to becoming a class trustee, McGee-Tubb says she didn’t realize what an important role alumni giving played in terms of scholarship support. Now, she understands that Oberlin depends on alumni giving as one of only three sources of annual revenue, and – because tuition doesn’t cover the true cost of an Oberlin education – every single student on campus benefits from the generosity of the alumni body.
“My mom taught me the importance of giving, but being a class trustee showed me that consistent giving, even among young alumni, has an impact on the life of the College,” added McGee-Tubb. “I give to Oberlin so that it can continue to be both the institution from which I personally benefitted so greatly and the place that cultivates interesting, motivated individuals who inspire change in their communities and in our society at large.”
Because young alumni make up 30 percent of the alumni body, their participation and support are vital to Oberlin. If half of all young alumni made a gift to the Alumni Fund each year, it would increase overall alumni participation by 19.5 percent. That in turn would have a favorable impact on outside funding agencies, which use this figure as a measure of alumni satisfaction when awarding grant money to colleges and universities.
Still, McGee-Tubb appreciates the fact that $250 is a lot of money for young alumi still in graduate school, or at the very beginning of their careers. Still, she believes the return on this investment outweighs the initial cost. “I can’t imagine Wilder without the ‘Sco or the Allen Art Museum without an Art History department. I give because I know my dollars will help keep these elements of Oberlin alive for the next generation of students.”
For more information about the Oberlin Alumni Fund and the Trustee Challenge, please visit Oberlin’s web site. The Oberlin Alumni Fund can also be reached directly at (440) 775-8550 or (800) 693-3167.
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