Large numbers of presidential spouses attended the two Presidents Institute sessions dealing with fundamental aspects of their work—fundraising and entertaining. Two presidential couples, Judy and Stan Gaede of Westmont College (CA) and Kris and Jack Ohle of Wartburg College (IA), spoke on “The Role of the Presidential Spouse in Institutional Fundraising,” stressing the variety of ways that presidential spouses may be helpful depending upon the institutional culture and the interests of the spouse.

“Fresh Ideas for Entertaining” were provided by Margaret Benson, national catering consultant for Sodexho Campus Services, and Don Staley, presidential catering manager at the University of South Carolina. Materials from this session are available here on the CIC website.

In addition, to a packed room of presidential spouses and some presidents, Ray Cotton, vice president for higher education, ML Strategies LLC, used his expertise on presidential contracts to advise spouses on appropriate ways to receive institutional resources for their professional responsibilities, travel, entertaining, care of the presidential house, and other duties. Cotton stressed the importance of documenting expenditures and outlining the value-added of each institutional service. “In order to receive compensation,” said Cotton, “the presence of the presidential spouse must be described as necessary, rather than simply helpful.”

Daniel Bowman, presidential spouse at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (VA), and Abigail Pribbenow, presidential spouse at Rockford College (IL), led an enhanced program for new presidents’ spouses. Participants explored such issues as “Reinventing Yourself as Presidential Spouse,” “Finding Your Niche on Campus and in the Community,” and “What I Learned in My First Year as Presidential Spouse.”