PEC Update, March 22, 2007

PEC is a little over six months old as we write this update! Our member base has grown to over 1,000 supporters, and we thought it was time to share some details on the demographics of those who have joined our ranks since our September 1, 2006 formation. We hope all of you will take the opportunity of our "half birthday" to recommit financially to our cause. We want to remind you that we have a $100,000 matching gift program underway which doubles the impact of your donations. As you know, we rely on your contributions for our legal challenges and other outreach programs. Details below!

Legal Cases

As we reported in the February 24 PEC Update, we are appealing the dismissal of the student contract suit by the Circuit Court in Lynchburg. Our trial law firm DurretteBradshaw, which is handling the appeal of this case, has already filed a Notice of Appeal, the first step in the process. We expect that the petition to the Virginia Supreme Court (step two) will be completed in the near future. We will keep you updated as this appeal progresses.

As of this update, we are appealing the charitable trust suit as well. Judge Mosby dismissed the case last week (documents relating to the dismissal can be found in the Legal Pleadings section of our website).

We are pleased to announce that William Hurd of the Richmond office of Troutman Sanders, LLP will be spearheading the appeal of the charitable trust case for us. Mr. Hurd has a long history in Virginia public service having served from 1979 to 2004 in a number of roles including State Solicitor General, Senior Counsel to the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Assistant Attorney General. In 2004 he was the recipient of the "Best Brief Award" given by the National Association of Attorneys General for outstanding legal writing before the United States Supreme Court. In 2006, he was one of five lawyers recognized for achievements in appellate practice by Virginia Super Lawyers and he is listed as an expert in Education Law in the 2007 Best Lawyers in America. Additionally, his sister is an alumna of Randolph-Macon Woman's College and he is a strong proponent of educational choice. His complete biography may be found on Troutman Sanders website here. We will keep you apprised of this appeal as it progresses.

Profile of PEC Supporters

After a little more than six months in existence, PEC's 1,000+ membership base includes more than 900 alumnae from a cross section of graduating classes. We have members from classes in the 1930s through the class of 2006 as well as current students. Ten percent of our membership is made up of non-alumnae and include parents, R-MWC faculty (current and former), and former R-MWC trustees.

Our mission resonates with the entire body of alumnae. For example, classes in the 1950s represent 12% of our supporters, the 1960s 16%, the 1970s 13%, and the 2000s (including current students) 14%. Starting from the 1930s, every decade of alumnae is represented with roughly 50% of our alumnae supporters coming from classes later than 1980.

Geographically PEC donors are diverse as well. Donors represent 44 states, the District of Columbia, and nine foreign countries. Virginia is the home of 29% of the donors followed by North Carolina (7%), Florida, New York, Maryland, California, Georgia (5%), Pennsylvania (4%), Texas, South Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts (3%), Tennessee, foreign countries, District of Columbia (2%) – the remaining states each represent 1% or less of PEC's donors. Unsurprisingly, this geographic distribution of donors closely mirrors the college's geographic distribution of alumnae. Clearly, geographically PEC's mission is resonating as well with the full alumnae base.

PEC supporters have been generous with their donations and we have raised more than $250,000 (not including the $100,000 matching gift). Our donors are determined and committed to underwrite the legal appeals we have mounted. Almost one-fourth of our donations have come in AFTER the lawsuits were dismissed on January 23rd.

With your continuing determination and financial support we can and will sustain our efforts to preserve the original mission of our college for future generations.

$100,000 Matching Gift Program

If you haven't already, we urge you to take advantage of the $100,000 matching gift program that was instituted this month by a generous anonymous donor. All donations received between March 2 and June 30, 2007 will be matched in full until we reach $100,000 in matching funds. You have the opportunity to double the impact of every dollar that you donate today to preserve Randolph-Macon Woman's College. You can make your donation via PayPal through the PEC website or by sending a check made out to "Preserve Educational Choice" to:

Preserve Educational Choice, Inc.
P.O. Box 29612
Richmond , VA 23242

Please make a contribution to PEC today to show the Board of Trustees that support for staying Randolph-Macon Woman's College is stronger than ever!

Vita abundantior,

PEC Board

Gail Ballou (R-MWC '64)
Carol Curcio Lang (R-MWC '68)
Diane U. Montgomery (R-MWC '85)
Anne Yastremski (R-MWC '05)
Martha McClerkin Durnett (R-MWC '85)

Return to PEC Updates