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Alumni

Yellow Jackets Women’s Philanthropy Circle

The Yellow Jackets is a new women-led philanthropy initiative supporting female students, faculty, and programs.

At Graceland University, women have been catalysts for change, empowerment, and belonging.

Marietta Walker donated the land to establish the university. Betty Welch helped establish women’s varsity athletics. Barbara Higdon served as the first female president, and Sherri Kirkpatrick, who led Graceland to become the first school in the nation to establish an accredited distance learning RN to BSN program.

Women of Graceland have always been and continue to be transformational leaders. Our alumnae are community caregivers and world changers. They are healthcare innovators and business mentors. They are educators and scientists. They are Yellowjackets.

Join the Yellow Jackets

You are invited to join a dynamic group of women leaders to model and accelerate engagement and philanthropy among Graceland’s alumni, donors, and friends. Members are alumnae and friends of Graceland who enjoy networking, working with campus leadership, and building support for female students and programs on both the Lamoni and Kansas City campuses and are encouraged to wear a yellow blazer, jacket, or sweater of their choice to all meetings and events to show their Yellow Jacket pride.

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Membership Details
Membership requires a minimum gift of $1,000. Donors who give $1,000 in one year can vote on funding applications from Graceland campus programs. Engage in reviewing proposals to recruit, retain, and support female students. Alumnae 35 and under can give $1,000 over three years or approximately $28 monthly. We aim to provide at least $15,000 annually to female-centered programs.

Membership Benefits
- Invitation to the President’s brunch at Homecoming each year
- Exclusive Presidential Zoom updates
- Tickets to all performing arts and athletic events
- Recognition on the Yellow Jackets website and promotional materials
- Opportunity to serve as an ambassador for Graceland

Our Mission

The Yellow Jackets Leadership Circle is dedicated to supporting Graceland University in fulfilling its mission creating learning communities where students develop their potential for meaningful and productive lives. We will strive to honor women leaders of Graceland’s past, embrace the leaders of Graceland today, and contribute to a hopeful future for all of Graceland.

Apply for Funding for Your Project

The Yellow Jackets aim to fund projects that will impact women at Graceland University and the Graceland community. If you wish to apply for funding please fill out the application below. If you have documents you’d wish to submit along with your proposal, please email alumni@graceland.edu.

Yellow Jacket voting members will use Yellow Jacket Philanthropy Voting Guide rubric to assist in evaluating each proposal. You are welcome to reference the rubric to help shape your proposal responses.

Deadline is February 14th

Questions?

Feel free to contact Ginelle Sakima Roberts at any time should you have any questions or concerns.

Office: 641.784. 5145

sakima@graceland.edu