Erskine Alumni Joe And Kathy Black

Joe And Kathy Black Chair Largest Capital Campaign In Erskine History

Erskine College has announced that Joe and Kathy Black of Buena Vista, Colo., are serving as co-chairs of what is expected to be the largest capital campaign in the school's history, "The Gold Campaign," to be introduced at a gala kickoff event scheduled for Oct. 23 on the Due West campus.

Looking forward to what he describes as the campaign's "launch date" of Oct. 23, Joe Black said, "One cannot underestimate the importance of this date — the launch is truly the beginning of our mission."

Black, a former executive at Milliken and Company and a member of the Erskine College Class of 1969, said Erskine's upcoming capital campaign has its origins in discussions that led to the school's adoption of a Strategic Plan in May 2001. "The Gold Campaign was the result of visionary thinking on the part of the leadership of Erskine College and Seminary," he said.

"It was clear to Erskine's leaders that for Erskine College and Seminary to move successfully into and through the 21st century, the Erskine family had to rally together to launch Erskine to a new level of academic excellence and Christian commitment," said Black. "Hundreds of Erskine alumni, parents and friends worked diligently drawing up a strategic plan prior to the inception of the Gold Campaign."

Black, who formed his own consulting company in 1986, explains the necessity of a capital campaign for his alma mater from a business perspective. He is delighted that Erskine has seen successes in recent years, including construction of a state-of-the-art science center, extensive campus renovations and increased enrollment, but he believes more is needed.

"In any business venture, it's easy to rest on your laurels when things seem to be rocking along smoothly, cash flow is adequate and everyone seems to be pleased with the way things are going," said Black. "Leaders understand this mentality is a formula for failure in the long term. To a leader, good is the enemy of best."

Erskine's capital campaign has been named "The Gold Campaign" in part because gold is one of the school's colors, but also, Black said, "because of the association of gold with being refined, pure, the best, the finest — as in the 'gold standard.'"

For Joe Black, though, it's not just business — it's also devotion. With his wife Kathy, a member of the Class of 1970, Black has spent long hours lending volunteer service to Erskine, and he sees the Gold Campaign as essential to the school's continued progress.

"A major capital campaign will raise all the ships on Erskine's sea to a new level," said Black. "It will ensure that we'll be able to provide the very best for future students through scholarships, superior facilities, excellent professors and staff, exciting and successful athletic programs, and a seminary that will continue its quest for excellence."

Kathy Black makes it clear that she shares her husband's vision for Erskine, and, like him, she has logged the volunteer time to prove it. "I am not a public speaker, but I am willing to leave my comfort zone for Erskine," she said. "It is a cause I really believe in."

The Blacks moved from South Carolina to Colorado in 1996 after Joe Black sold his consulting business, and they are acutely conscious of how they spend their time and talents. They wrote their own mission statement that includes a pledge "to seek opportunities to help others as God leads us to them."

Joe and Kathy Black believe Erskine offers them a worthy opportunity for sacrificial service because of the difference the school has made for them and for many others. In this spirit they have undertaken the responsibilities of co-chairing Erskine's Gold
Campaign, which will continue through 2006.

Reflecting on their commitment, Joe Black says simply,"We have chosen to chair this campaign because we have seen in our own lives and in the lives of many young people what Erskine can give them to help them have a very balanced and fulfilling life."