Spectrum - Volume 20 Issue 22 February 26, 1998 - Largest Fundraising Effort Ever

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Largest Fundraising Effort Ever
University Campaign begins March 16

By Terry McGuire

Spectrum Volume 20 Issue 22 - February 26, 1998

During the past five and a half years, nearly 67,000 alumni, parents, students and friends have jumped on board the bandwagon for the Campaign for Virginia Tech. Now, faculty and staff members will be able to purchase their ticket for the ride as well. With the March 16 launching of the campus campaign, all faculty and staff--current and retired--will have the opportunity to participate in the largest fundraising effort in the university's history.
The university campaign will offer faculty and staff members a wide range of choices when it comes to deciding where they wish to direct their gifts. Contributors will be able to support the university at large, a college, a department, a unit, or any particular program or initiative they consider important to Virginia Tech. Donors will also have the option of dividing their gift among several entities, if they so wish.
Details of the campaign will be provided in a brochure, which is scheduled for mailing to the faculty and staff on March 16. The brochure mailing will be followed by a letter of solicitation from President Paul Torgersen that will include a gift card listing the various choices available for designating a gift. Faculty and staff members will have the convenience of making their gifts by check, credit card or through payroll deduction.

Participation is the Key
"Alumni, parents, and others have shown, through their outstanding support of the Campaign for Virginia Tech, just how highly they regard members of the faculty and staff," said Charles Steger, vice president for Development and University Relations. "They want quality, and they support quality. I know everyone at Virginia Tech agrees with this philosophy and will use the university campaign to ensure that such quality continues to be a part of every aspect of this institution."
In order of importance, participation in the campaign will take precedence over the size of a gift. "The university campaign's success will be measured by how many individuals take part," said Skip Fuhrman, president of the Faculty Senate. "So, I hope the faculty will follow the lead of so many other Virginia Tech supporters by joining this important endeavor."
Fuhrman's view is shared by Spencer Allen, president of the Staff Senate. "It's making a gift--not the size of the gift--that counts," Allen said. "No matter what amount someone contributes, it will help meet any one of a number of needs throughout the university."
This year's university campaign marks the first of what will be an annual solicitation that, along with the Alumni Annual Fund, the Parents' Fund, the Young Alumni Pylon Society, and the Senior Challenge, will fall under Virginia Tech's annual-giving program as a source of current operating revenue. Judy Graham, Virginia Tech's director of annual giving, said university campaigns are now common among major institutions. "Many public universities include a faculty-and-staff solicitation in their annual-giving program. It's one way that everyone can immediately help the university or their own college, department, or individual area meet important goals."
Graham reminded those who want a current update on the Campaign for Virginia Tech and/or the latest campaign totals for any of the colleges to access the campaign web page at http://www.unirel.vt.edu/campaign/.