A Brief History of the Evangel University Auxiliary

Since 1955, the Evangel University Auxiliary has played a supporting role in the success and growth of the University.

Vibrant Beginnings

Without a base of alumni for fund raising and support, the fledgling college needed the backing of the leaders who founded the school and advocates who supported its cause.

On Sept. 8, 1955, the first day of classes at Evangel College, members of the men’s Advisory Council held their first meeting. Many of these men had attended the Assemblies of God General Council meetings on Sept. 1-6, and many of their wives had traveled with them.

Gertrude Scott, wife of the Rev. Charles W.H. Scott (the first chairman of the Evangel Board of Directors), served as hostess to all the women in attendance while the men were in Council sessions. She took the women on a tour of the campus and observed the conditions of the dormitories. The women were surprised to find the lounges without any furniture.

Wasting no time to take action, the women gathered in the band hall, organized the Auxiliary, and held their first business meeting. They agreed to immediately take on buying lamps and furniture for dormitory lounges as their first project.

On the next day, the men were excited about the women’s desire to get involved, and the Board of Directors approved the Evangel College Ladies Auxiliary as an agency for the promotion of Evangel University.

Both the men of the Council and the women of the Auxiliary have provided leadership, invested their time, and contributed generously to programs during the University’s formative years. Though these groups have changed over the years, their heritage of support continues.

Nationwide Involvement

Many members of the Auxiliary did not live locally but wanted to provide support despite the distance. To accommodate this enthusiasm for involvement, the Auxiliary soon spread to include local chapters around the nation.

These chapters emphasized membership and the collecting and sending of dues for projects for the national Auxiliary. Local chapters also sponsored a variety of activities, including hosting teas for prospective students or pledging money to cover costs for national banquets and other projects. Additionally, local chapters held regular meetings, not only to encourage fellowship but also to promote the school.

Brittney Grantham wanted a photo with her 'grandpa,' the Rev. Stewart Robinson.

1960: Freshmen students serve punch and cookies at registration to Mrs. Velmer Gardner and Mrs. Ward Williams.

Local Auxiliary Chapters

The national Auxiliary included numerous active chapters:

Alexandria, Virginia
Chicago Stone Church
Kansas City, Mo.
Memphis, Tennessee
Milbank, South Dakota
Ottumwa, Iowa
South Dakota State
Warren, Ohio
Zion, Illinois

At its highest point, the Auxiliary had nearly 1,000 members nationwide. When the name of the University changed from Evangel College to Evangel University, the name of the Auxiliary changed to follow.

Expanding Efforts

The Evangel University Council met in October 1999 and acknowledged the growth of the alumni base, recommending that the University appoint a task force to create a new national support organization.

The resulting 10-member committee developed the Association of Evangel University Family & Friends (AEUFF) to facilitate interaction between the University and its many constituents. The Board of Directors unanimously voted in support of the creation of AEUFF on April 14, 2000. This new organization incorporated the previous functions of the national Council and Auxiliary with the goal of further expanding those efforts.

Though many functions of the national Auxiliary would be carried out through AEUFF, the women of the Springfield Chapter of the EU Auxiliary decided to continue their support through unique local functions. Even as these support organizations have changed, the EU Auxiliary continues to function in meaningful and useful ways.

Support

Summer 1999: Roberta DeCocq and Jean Martin hold up the first Evangel throw that the Auxiliary developed for a fund raiser.

The EU Auxiliary has aided the University through a variety of means, but perhaps the most meaningful method of support has been prayer. Anne Spence, wife of President Robert H. Spence, started a weekly prayer ministry that continues today. This group prays for needs of the University’s administration, faculty, and staff; needs of individual students; and needs shared by alumni, family, and friends of Evangel.

The EU Auxiliary also takes on fund raising for six annual scholarships and other annual projects that provide for campus needs. Funds are raised through membership pledges and projects such as bake sales, pecan sales, discount card sales, and tapestry throw sales. Additionally, the EU Auxiliary is known in the Springfield community for the large annual garage sale that occurs immediately following the spring semester.

Project Highlights

Funds raised over the years add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars of support for University projects. These highlighted projects include the combined efforts of both the national and local chapters of the EU Auxiliary and some projects spearheaded by the Springfield Chapter.

The generosity of the EU Auxiliary has ranged from doing simple things such as providing good, used clothes for needy students all the way to purchasing the Shantz pipe organ in the Chapel for more than $150,000. Note: Dollar values have not been adjusted for comparable rates today.

Fall 1984: Dr. J. Douglas Tarpley, Communication Department chair, expresses appreciation for the television equipment purchased through an Evangel College Ladies Auxiliary contribution. This equipment was for the TV studio that had been in Room 12-6. Front row: Anne Spence, President Robert H. Spence, Dick Champion, Norma Champion. Back row: Hubert Morris, Patricia Tarpley, student Eric Link.

In 1959, the Auxiliary adopted a project to buy stoves and refrigerators for the Home Economics Department thorough a $1,600 contribution.
The Klaude Kendrick Library was officially dedicated on Oct. 16, 1962. The Auxiliary assisted the Council of Evangel College in raising funds for the library. A major contribution was $10,000 for stacks in the library.
The Chapel, completed in 1981, is equipped with the Shantz pipe organ that was donated by EU Auxiliary at a cost of $152,573.
In 1977, the EU Auxiliary raised funds for a $13,000 Bösendorfer concert grand piano for the Chapel.
In 1983-86, the Auxiliary raised $64,221 for the cable TV studio.
In the mid-90s, the EU Auxiliary purchased a Steinway grand piano for $52,382.
The Auxiliary purchased furnishings and fitness equipment for the Mabee Student Fitness Center, which was opened in 1999.
In 2006, EU Auxiliary co-sponsored a financial literacy seminar in cooperation with Phi Beta Lambda/Students in Free Enterprise.
The EU Auxiliary has contributed thousands of dollars toward the Spiritual Emphasis Week fund.
The EU Auxiliary has raised thousands of dollars for scholarships, focusing on providing students with financial support.

A search through the archives quickly reveals that the EU Auxiliary has had a hand in donating furniture or equipment for almost every building constructed or renovated during the University’s history. With more than a million dollars raised since the University began, members of the EU Auxiliary have humbly shown their dedication to the University. With each prayer, with each minute of volunteering, and with each dollar raised, the legacy of giving continues.

Special thanks to Evangel University Archives for assisting with research and providing photos.