Aimee Palacios of McMinnville, a senior at Linfield College, works at Nicholson Library, participates in Concert Choir and majors in education. Her Linfield education is made possible, in part, by the Partners in Progress (PIP) campaign that supports scholarships to students from Yamhill County.
After graduating, Palacios plans to attend graduate school and become an elementary school teacher, serving her community and encouraging other young people to fulfill their own dreams.
“Linfield is a small college that empowers students to perform, learn, grow, lead, create, discover and become a part of an amazing community,” she said.
The 39th Partners in Progress campaign is under way. It builds on the long-standing partnership between Linfield and the McMinnville community with local business leaders and representatives from Linfield making calls and collecting pledge cards from local businesses and individuals during the month-long blitz that began Sept. 5 and runs through Oct. 10. The campaign goal is $500,000. A celebration for campaign volunteers and donors and Yamhill County leaders will be held Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Vivian Bull Music Center at Linfield.
The campaign began in the 1950s and adopted the name Partners in Progress in 1974. Over the years, contributors to PIP have supported the college’s role in local economic and cultural development, according to Linfield President Thomas L. Hellie.
“We are grateful for the exceptional support of the McMinnville community,” Hellie said. “Local individuals and businesses play a key role in Linfield’s success.”
PIP campaign gifts will benefit the ongoing relationship between Linfield and Yamhill County by supporting scholarships, arts, cultural and athletic events, and library services.
The award-winning drive promotes the partnership between Yamhill County and Linfield, and is recognized as a model for outstanding college-community relationships. Community involvement and volunteer support are key to the success of the regionally recognized campaign.
This year, 40 volunteers are taking part in the program, contacting more than 200 businesses and individuals. Dan Davison of Davison Auto Parts is a 2003 Linfield graduate and in his third year as PIP chair. Other members of the PIP steering committee assisting Davison are Kathleen Bernards, class of 1976 and a McMinnville CPA; Chris Browne of Chris Browne Insurance; Wendy Buchheit of Cross and Crown, Inc.; Rose Lorenzen of the City of McMinnville; John McKeegan of Linfield College; Daniel Ordyna of Willamette Valley Medical Center, Erin Stephenson of Third Street Flats; and Harold Washington of Washington Roofing Company.
Staff members assisting the steering committee are Hellie; Christina Diss, director of annual giving; and Bruce Wyatt, vice president for college relations. For more information on the PIP campaign, call 503-883-2282 or visit www.linfield.edu/pip.
