Following the reception, Andy Medley, College Mentors’ development committee chair, opened the program with a brief introduction. He was followed by Leadership Society Honorary Campaign Chair Dr. Martin Jischke, College Mentors’ CEO Erin Slater, and other College Mentors’ stakeholders. Together, their stories moved the attendees to alternately laugh and cry.

Dr. Jischke, who was president of Purdue University while CEO Erin Slater was president of the Purdue Chapter, stressed the importance of education. “There is no tool more powerful than education that can change lives… Once one generation goes to college, it is almost certain that the next will follow,” stated Dr. Jischke.

Jischke outlined two things he and his wife, Patty, consider before giving to an organization: First, do they believe in its mission and cause? Second, does the organization have good leadership?  The Jischkes’ Leadership Society membership proves that College Mentors meets both criteria. According to Jischke, “College Mentors makes sense and creates a winning opportunity for all.” Jischke highlighted the many awards College Mentors and CEO Erin Slater have won over the past two years.

Butler University Chapter president and 2008 Chapter Leader of the Year, Shelia Seedhouse, shared with attendees the impact College Mentors has on children. She also testified to its impact on her life, identifying it as her “most significant college experience.” Instead of pursuing a career in medicine, she will change lives through education as a member of Teach for America.

Elementary partner and principal R. Elizabeth Odle from IPS #14 closed the evening by stating the changes she has been in behavior, attitude, and work ethic by children from her school who are in College Mentors. She also discussed the program’s impact on families, giving the example of how one parent from her school is in college as a result of their child’s participation in College Mentors.

Dr. Jischke presented to the attendees the opportunity to join the Leadership Society at the $1,000 giving level, which supports one mentor and one child in the Mentor Program for one year and inspired current members to engage others as well. The event offered new and old friends of College Mentors the opportunity to hear first hand of the impact it makes on the lives of children, their families, their schools and college students, and how they could be a part of it.