Reunion Giving
Class of 1976

Fundraising  to Endow The “Panther Pen” Entrepreneurship Program

As the Class of 1976 celebrates our 50-year milestone, we are uniting around two goals: celebrating our history and giving back to the school that launched our success. Our class gift will focus on endowing the Panther Pen, an inspiring concept originally created by a group of our classmates.

First launched in 2016 with seed money from seven classmates, this Shark Tank-style competition supported the incubation of North Central business student ideas until the pandemic paused it. This past school year, North Central launched a new Polytechnic Department with dedicated entrepreneurship classes that renewed student pitch competitions.

The talent is there, and the timing is perfect. Our goal is to combine the remaining fund balance with a 50th Reunion class gift and fully endow the Panther Pen as a permanent Class of 1976 legacy. Endowing this fund means our collective gifts will be invested permanently, using only the annual earnings to sustain the Panther Pen year after year, forever.

Double Your Impact up to $110,000!

A group of our generous classmates has come together to launch an incredible $110,000 matching challenge. This means every single dollar you donate will be matched dollar-for-dollar, instantly doubling your impact to help us reach our endowment goal!

Your gift will support:

  • Annual Prizes: Providing vital seed capital for the top student business pitches.
  • Enriched Learning: Empowering the Business Department to inspire young innovators so they stand out among their peers after graduation.
  • Alumni Mentorship: Creating direct opportunities for our class’s many successful entrepreneurs to serve as judges and mentors.

Please join us in investing in the next generation of Panther innovators. Gifts can also be made in honor or memory of someone, such as an unforgettable teacher or a treasured classmate.

Tax-deductible donations can be made using the form below or by mailing a check or Donor Advised Fund (EIN 31-1146508) distribution payable to the Washington Township Schools Foundation (with 1976 denoted) to WTS Foundation, 8550 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46240.

2026 pitch competition winner, Valerie Sanchez Fernandez, with North Central Principal, Mr. Rent. Valerie started a business called “SugarNest Bites” where she sells cookies and other desserts inspired by her home country, the Dominican Republic.

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

We deeply appreciate these leadership donors for inspiring our class and providing the cornerstone funding to permanently endow the Panther Pen:
  • John Abrams
  • John Ackerman
  • Bill Bastian
  • Bob Boeglin
  • Jay Brammer
  • Kenny Edmonds
  • Jeff Fisher
  • Mike Herman
  • Hilton Hudson
  • Rick Hurst
  • Cathy Langham
  • Jon Mandlebaum
  • Tony Najem
  • Bart Peterson
  • George Sanders
  • Daryl Simmons
  • Joel Singer
  • Rick Slocum
  • Ken Wright
Want to join our Leadership Circle group? Contact classmate John Abrams ([email protected]) to learn more!