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Emory & Henry alumni possess a unique pride in their institution that is the envy of many colleges and universities, according to Richard Trollinger, a 1971 E&H graduate and former E&H vice president of external affairs.

Trollinger serves as vice president of college relations at Centre College, where his fund-raising leadership has led to capital campaigns raising more than $250 million and alumni participation rates consistently above 60 percent.

"People's level of income may affect how much they can give, but it should not prevent them from giving something." - Richard Trollinger ('71)

Members of the E&H community remember Trollinger for his successful efforts in alumni affairs and development while working at the College from 1971 to 1994. His leadership contributed to an increase in alumni participation from 13.8 percent in the mid 1970s to more than 50 percent by 1988, a level that was maintained for the next dozen years.

When Trollinger undertook the task of increasing alumni participation at Emory & Henry, he was told it would be difficult. "Many of our alumni were ministers and educators, and the thinking was that they just couldn't afford to give," he recalls.

But Trollinger was convinced that E&H alumni have an unusually strong devotion to the institution and that they could be persuaded to express that commitment through financial support. "People's level of income may affect how much they can give, but it should not prevent them from giving something."

Emory & Henry is a unique educational experience that fosters a sense of college pride matched by few other institutions, Trollinger believes. Contributing to that experience are the residential nature of the campus, strong athletic programs and, what is perhaps most significant, the personal relationships developed between students and their professors, their coaches and staff members.

"Some of my best friends in life now are people with whom I attended Emory & Henry as well as the people who taught me at Emory & Henry," Trollinger said.

He encourages E&H alumni to recall what they value about their college experience and to realize the importance of that experience to the students who are carrying on the mission of their College. "What is passing for undergraduate education at many colleges and universities these days is a travesty - enormous classes taught by teaching assistants or disconnected professors," Trollinger said, "but Emory & Henry has remained consistent in its devotion to the success of students and the contributions they make to the world."

While Emory & Henry remains devoted to teaching excellence, alumni must remain consistent in their devotion to supporting the College, Trollinger said. "We are a philanthropic nation," Trollinger said. "Even when we find it difficult to give, we still manage to give something to an important cause, and Emory & Henry is indeed such a cause."