GAF Launches $1 Million 'Voyage to Excellence' Endowment Campaign With Unveiling of Viking Ship

The Geneva Academic Foundation launched its $1 million "Viking Voyage to Excellence" endowment campaign Monday with the unveiling of a unique and spectacular campaign focal point on display at Geneva High School.

At 7 a.m. Monday, in front of a collection of School Board members, Geneva officials and volunteers—and to the fanfare of the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey—the GAF unveiled the 7-foot-long, 5 1/2-foot-tall Viking ship designed by GHS Art teacher Al Ochsner and built by Geneva craftsman Tom Kohorst.

"The idea of using a Viking ship instead of a giving tree as the focal point for this campaign grew out of several brainstorming sessions," GAF chair Laura Zuzuly said.

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns is the honorary chairperson of the fundraising campaign. In breif opening remarks, Burns recalled that three decades ago, he roamed the halls at Geneva High School as a senior, anxious to "free himself of the confinement" of his hometown.

"There's an expression that you travel the world to find what you want and return home to discover what you need," Burns said. "Today, I'm back in my alma mater, back in my community, to support this endowment effort."

GAF always has provided students with the "extas" that otherwise would not be available. Science teacher Kevin Gannon said GAF has donated equipment to the science laboratory, for example, that allows students to conduct real-time, CSI-style experiments and apply for grants to continue scientific study.

"It's been a great opportunity for our students to innovate," he said.

The Viking ship was modelled after the Viking Ship created for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and housed at Good Templar Park in Geneva. Ochsner spent about 30 hours of his own time sketching the ship and translating it into images that Kohorst could then craft into woodwork.

Donors will be recognized with engraved brass emblems on the display. The largest donors will have their names and donation levels engraved on Viking Shields placed on the side of the ship. Other donors will have their names and donation levels on Viking Helmets placed in the area surrounding the ship.

Each donation level has a Viking theme: Valhalla, Odin, Thor, Valkyrie, Freya, Explorer and Voyager.

The difference between a donation and an endowment campaign is significant. The endowment allows a stable funding source that remains untouched. The interest on the investment then can be used to support ungoing projects.

"It is not about tomorrow. It is not about the day after tommorow," Burns said. "It is about the thousands of tomorrows to come. And our contributions today will make a huge difference to the students who metriculate through Geneva High School."

To make a donation, visit the GAF websiteIf you would like a GAF representative to contact you about donating, please send an email to gafaware1@sbcglobal.net.

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