Don’t Take Hillsdale for Granted

Written by Doug Goodnough

“The College doesn’t need my money.”

If Hillsdale had a dollar for every time those words have been uttered by alumni to staff over the years, the College probably truly wouldn’t need it.

That reaction is not unique to Hillsdale College alumni. In fact, I used to hear it all the time at the university just down the road from Hillsdale where I was employed for 16 years. Alumni there saw good things happening on campus from a few generous non-alumni donors and convinced themselves the university didn’t need their support, financial or otherwise.

But they did. Desperately. Last month, after 107 years, that university closed its doors for good. Of course, the alumni were shocked and angry, and wondered why someone didn’t ask them for help before the decision was made to close.

The truth is, they were asked, many times for many years. But it was before the university went into “crisis” mode. Then it was just too late.

If you think this is an anomaly, it is not. Hundreds of small private colleges are facing a similar fate for a variety of reasons, whether it be dwindling enrollment prospects, mismanagement, rising costs, wandering from its educational mission, or a lack of fundraising. It’s often a combination of those things.

Fortunately, Hillsdale College does not have any of those problems. In fact, Forbes Magazine has given us an “A+” financial rating. We are so blessed to be alumni at an institution that truly tries to do everything the right way. And the mission that was formed in 1844 remains intact to this day.

Where am I going with all this?

Big changes are coming to higher education in the next few years, especially to small privates. There will be more closings and more institutions that will have a hard time keeping their doors open as the next generation considers the value of higher education.

The average alumni annual giving rate for small, private liberal arts colleges and universities hovers around 7-9 percent nationally. Hillsdale is generally a few points better than the average. With efforts such as the Alumni Day of Giving, the 1844 Society, The President’s Club, and Chargers Champions Club, we hope to improve those numbers in the coming years.

Hillsdale College needs alumni support, and not just financially. In higher education circles, we call it “time, talent, and treasure.” We’ve talked about the treasure, but we have also focused our efforts on engaging alumni on a variety of fronts. We now have several strong regional alumni chapters, occupational affinity groups, and a flourishing class ambassador program. Our Alumni Association Board is active and thriving.

Do you have a friend or family member who is a fan of the College? Let us know. We can get them engaged with the College and maybe invite them out to an event or two. Of course, getting them signed up to receive Imprimis or enrolling in one of our online courses is another great way to introduce them to the College.

I am grateful for the College for so many things. And with the changes happening in higher education, I certainly don’t take Hillsdale for granted. I hope you don’t, either.

Doug Goodnough, '90, is Hillsdale’s senior director of Alumni Marketing. He enjoys connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.

Published in June 2026

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