Investing in Educational Success

As Year Two of the public phase of Faith Rising: The Campaign for Gordon College commences, the College celebrates generous financial support from two families that strengthens and enhances the educational experience: A gift to The Writing Center from longtime friend of the College Sherry Tupper and championing of the Center for Teaching and Learning by Rev. Dr. Charles “Chip” Falcone ’95, D. Min. and Dr. Aimee Falcone ’99, DNP.

Tupper’s and the Falcones’ gifts speak to the heart of what a Gordon education is about—meeting students where they are and helping them grow as learners and Christ-followers. They also underscore the importance of friends and alumni of the College who are willing to come alongside to ensure students and faculty have the resources they need.

“Investments in the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Writing Center allow us to better serve both our students and our faculty,” says Dean of Faculty Sandra Doneski. “By being able to better support professional development for faculty related to innovative and developmentally appropriate pedagogy, the faculty-student learning relationship is strengthened and thrives. We are so grateful.”

Tupper Writing Center

In the spirit of College founder A. J. Gordon, the newly renamed Tupper Writing Center meets the needs of all students to prepare them for the world beyond Gordon. Tupper, also the namesake of the recently renovated Tupper Dining Hall, has provided the Center on the fourth floor of Jenks Library with funding and resources for important physical upgrades.

The renewal of the Tupper Writing Center increases opportunities for students to improve and polish their writing skills, a necessity not only for students’ time at Gordon but for their future careers. Currently, more than 50 percent of Gordon’s undergraduate students utilize the Center. Tupper has a personal appreciation for these educational resources. Her family members who have gone to Gordon include her son, her daughter-in-law and a niece.

“Regardless of the major a Gordon student chooses, the ability to write with proficiency and clarity is critical for success, not only in college but in all subsequent lifetime pursuits,” says Tupper. “My hope is that the Tupper Writing Center will be a caring place for learning new writing skills and will provide encouragement for all of our students to help ensure their success within their chosen field.”

Gordon recently welcomed to the faculty a new director for the Tupper Writing Center, Assistant Teaching Professor of English Luke Redington. With a bold vision for the Center, Redington aims to equip all students with the increasingly sought-after skill of writing.

“Sherry Tupper’s gift is full of both generosity and foresight,” he says. “In an age when so much is changing in higher education, Sherry Tupper has helped Gordon College act on one of the few things we can know about the future: Writing skills will only become more valuable. This gift will help Gordon’s students shape that future. We are deeply grateful.”

Falcone Center for Teaching and Learning

For over 20 years, the Falcones have faithfully supported initiatives aligning with the Center for Teaching and Learning, now renamed in their honor. Their legacy of sacrificial giving has advanced the cause of teaching excellence and pedagogy for faculty.

The Falcone Center for Teaching and Learning is a catalyst for transforming the classroom experience, guiding students to develop the skills and knowledge to support their vocational callings. Serving a vital role in bringing together the best digital resources and technology with the latest classroom innovation and pedagogy, the Center provided crucial preparation for Gordon faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the College promptly shifted to an online learning model.

“Chip and I are very honored to be a small part of the Gordon community in support of the Falcone Center for Teaching and Learning,” says Aimee. “We are passionate about equipping educators to teach in such a way that produces lifelong learning, and we are excited to be a part of God’s work at Gordon.”

Imbued with their collective generosity and personal passion, Tupper’s and the Falcones’ gifts significantly bolster Gordon’s mission to deliver an exceptional, cutting-edge Christian liberal arts education.