St. John's Alumni Association, Inc. || Contact Information

Office Hours:
8:00am - 3:00pm
Tuesday - Thursday

Office Location:
1502 E. Sixth Ave.
Winfield, KS 67156

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 376
Winfield, KS 67156

Telephone No.:

620-221-1572

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

News & Notes from the Executive Director

As I write this column, the fiscal year November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2011 has just ended. It has been a good year for the Alumni Association. The Lord has been good to the Association in spite of the fact that the economy has still not recovered completely. From a financial operations standpoint, the Alumni Association has held its own. Operationally the Association ended in the black by just over $ 2,000 due to direct contributions from YOU the alumni and also the fact that you directed some Thrivent giving to the St. John’s College Alumni Association. Your support helped us reach 75 % of our Annual Fund goal of $31,400 and this, along with a decrease in expenses, allowed us to maintain a balanced budget.

Also with the help of Professor Wallace Behrhorst, you received four issues of the "Johnnie Reporter" and we hope it has kept you up to date on the events and activities of the Association and of some of your fellow "Johnnies." We will again publish the "Reporter" in November, February, May and July.

In April, the Association found out that Metro Plains had purchased Baden Hall from the City of Winfield and it had plans to develop the facility into a 24 apartment complex. Work began shortly thereafter and is scheduled to be complete by December 1, 2011. Having visited the construction site almost weekly, I have taken pictures from start to current status and have posted some of these pictures on the web here. I can tell you, these apartments look great and I am sure John Peter Baden would be proud of what has been accomplished. We look forward to seeing many of you back in Winfield this June 1-3, 2012 for the "Winfield Johnnie Reunion" where we hope to give tours of the first building of the College and where YOUR Alumni Association was founded back in 1909, some 103 years ago.

Also in April, the Financial Aid Committee directed aid to 70 students who are attending the schools of the LC-MS. Almost $27,000 was earned from the Scholarship Endowment and checks were mailed to these institutions. Since 1965, over 3,400 students have received almost $1,100,000 from the St. John’s College Alumni Association. Many, many of these students have gone into full-time church work and we thank the Lord for them.

June 2011 saw a very successful Winfield Johnnie Reunion. Around 120 "Johnnies" returned for the three days of festivities. Some of these alumni have not been back since their graduation and all enjoyed the weekend very much. Next year the Winfield Johnnie Reunion will be held on June 1-3, 2012 where the honored classes will include the classes of 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1967, 1972, 1977 1982, and the 50^th Anniversary class of 1962. Let’s make this a record year for attendance!

Notes from the Board of Directors Meeting

The Board heard a report from CornerBanks, Inc. on the investments (Scholarship Endowment and Operational Endowment) of the Association. Earnings look to remain similar to last year so the funds for scholarships and operations will probably be similar. The Board also approved the budget for the FY 2011-12 to the tune of $ 74,000 which is up by some $ 2,100 over last fiscal year due mostly to increased business expenses. The Financial Aid Guidelines and Application forms were reviewed and no changes were made to these forms. These forms are available on the Association’s web page for the academic year 2012-13.

The Board tabled a motion on changes to the Constitution and By-Laws which would have changed the election process and possibly the number of Directors of the Board until its June 2012 meeting. Tom Brooks and Gene Hilgendorf reported on the Choir/Choir Directors Workshop held this past September in the Kansas City area. They were disappointed that the turn out was low. The Board set the next meeting for Friday, June 1, 2012 which will coincide with the Winfield Johnnie Reunion to be held June 1-3, 2012. After adjournment the Board toured Baden Hall to see what renovations have been done. Baden Hall is scheduled for occupancy December 1, 2011.

As we enter the new fiscal year, FY’2012, first, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff, we want to thank all of you for this past year’s support. Your support, both with your prayers and your financial support, has helped the Association carry out its’ mission of providing financial aid to students and keeping the "Johnnie Family" up to date on the activities and events of the Association and all its members. Secondly, we ask for your continued financial support as well as your prayers. Every gift is important, no matter how large or how small, for together the "Johnnies" will help us reach our goals.

Finally, on behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff of YOUR St. John’s College Alumni Association, we wish each of you a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May God richly bless each and every one of YOU throughout 2012!

During the next few months I would invite you the check out this web site. We will be using it to keep you updated on the progress of Baden Hall. Baden Hall is now a “Hard-Hat” area so don’t be to surprised to see pictures of your Executive Director in a “Hard-Hat” touring the Baden Hall area.

God’s richest blessings to each of you always.

Larry R. Junker

Executive Director