The Mack and Irene Caldwell Peacemaking Fund |  |
In 1997, the Mack and Irene Caldwell Peacemaking Fund was begun at Anderson University by Maurice and Dondeena Caldwell. Named in honor of Maurice Caldwell’s parents, the fund quickly became the fastest-growing general fund in the history of the university. Hundreds of donors, including Anderson University students, professors, and alumni; Peace Fellowship members, relatives, and friends across the U.S. and around the world made generous and sacrificial contributions. An early donation came from a student who brought a $1,000 check earned from his summer job. AU professors contributed through payroll deductions. An Oregon widow, past retirement age, continues to work so she can contribute to the Peacemaking Fund. A Missouri death row prisoner, a pen pal of the Caldwells, contributed. Brazilian Church of God pastors Mario and Natalia Hort call themselves and their extended family “Peacemakers for Jesus.”
When the fund reached $730,000 in 2007, Dr. Joe and Carol Batdorf provided a matching challenge gift of $100,000. The Batdorfs wrote, “We have long been admirers of the Caldwells and their understanding of the Christian message. In this gift we are honoring their efforts as well as Anderson University.” The Batdorf challenge was fully met by May 2008, and has achieved its goal of one million dollars! The Caldwell Peacemaking Fund now moves forward each month to its new goal of two millino dollars as donations large and small continue to come from persons who take seriously Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
The peacemaking fund operates as an endowment, using only the interest for programs of Anderson University PACT, the Peace and Conflict Transformation program.
The vision for the future would be to fund not only the PACT program at Anderson University but to allow for a full time faculty member for the coordination of that program. Currently, the Peace and Conflict Transformation program operates as a minor at Anderson University. It includes students in many different fields, including business and religion, and sponsors with a scholarship an international student each year. It is also the vision of the Peace Fellowship that this would become a major at Anderson University and working towards our two million dollar goal will help to further that vision.
As we move forward with our new goal of two million dollars for the endowment, we are also moving forward with other ways of contributing to the Peace Fellowship. Soon, we will have a way for you to donate to the Peace Fellowship online. Remember to stay connected by accessing our "Resources" and "Contacts" pages located above. We would love to hear from you!
If you are interested in more information about the Peace and Conflict Transformation program at Anderson Univeristy you can access their website at www.anderson.edu/pact.
You can also contact the director of the PACT program, Dr. Marian Osburne-Berky, at the Religious Studies Department of Anderson University.
