Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Fun Facts About Annual Programs

What was the average gift size of an Annual Fund gift in FY09?

What is our mascot's full name and his country of origin?

Name the days of the week that student callers do not call?

What is the name of our newest program and how many consecutive years do donors give to be a part of the program?

What is our gift goal in dollars (production) for 2010?

One of our new features on the web site is an appeal clickable. What appeal clickable is currently on our web site?

How many Annual Fund gifts were given in FY09?

What is the tag line to our mission statement?

Who are we partnering with for our Spring appeal?

Name the biannual event held by Annual Programs that allows faculty and staff to live the life of a student caller for one afternoon?

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Answers (in order of questions asked)

117.09
Il Porcellino, Italy
Friday and Saturday
Thoroughreds, 3
2 million dollars
Library
9879 gifts
Every person, every gift matters.
Alumni Association
ThankAThon
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How many did you know?

Friday, February 5, 2010

I'm a student worker at the Annual Fund...

Beth Horton, a junior here at the University of Arkansas, shares what it means to her to be a student worker for the Office of Annual Programs:

I began working in the Office of Annual Programs in November of 2008. I primarily write letters to donors, work with staff members on solicitations and assist with events. While working here, I?ve learned a lot of lessons that will help me in the real world. Working in a big office with many departments has taught me that while everyone may work on a separate task, in the end, we all have the same goal for the university. I?ve also had the opportunity to learn more about the production side of things, such as how much work goes into creating appeals and planning and preparing for campus events.

Working in the Office of Annual Programs has really opened my eyes to the dedication and hard work that goes into raising private gift support so students like me can fulfill their dreams of receiving a college education. When I started working here, there were only two other employees working with the Annual Fund, and today there are four. With every new position, I see more opportunity to help raise money for the university and steward our generous donors.

It is rewarding to work in such a creative atmosphere where my efforts help my fellow classmates. I?m amazed to see how much everyone in Development loves the University of Arkansas, and how much energy everyone puts into making our school better for current students like me, and students to come. I?m very proud to work here, and I could not have asked for a better job during college.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Donor Comments

Sometimes, no, most times, donors say it better than anyone else can. Enjoy these comments from a few of our University of Arkansas friends!

A Non-Traditional Student Perseveres, Understands What Gifts Do:

I know that a college education makes all the difference in a person's life and career opportunities. My life and career would have been completely different if I had had access to the financial resources that I needed to have been able to attend college when I graduated from high school in 1967. Instead, I had to wait until I was middle-aged, and by the time I completed my graduate degree I was near the end of my career. It was my life-long goal to finish college, and I persevered until I finally made it. I hope my modest donation to the U of A will help an Arkansas high school graduate to realize his or her dream but a whole lot sooner than I did! ~Donna Taylor

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"We are giving back so that others may have opportunities..."

I am a graduate of the class of 1972, with a BSBA degree in accounting. My wife, Karen, also attended the University for two years before we got married. We love the University of Arkansas for the great school it is and for the opportunities and rewards we have received, because we were able to receive our education there. To provide a little background, my father was a career master sergeant in the military, and although we always had food, clothing and housing, there wasn’t a lot of money to spare, and no real money saved for me to go to college. When I graduated from high school in 1968, the Vietnam war was in full swing. If I had not been able to get scholarships, grants and student loans from the University of Arkansas, I probably would have been drafted and who knows what might have occurred? But through the opportunities that the U of A afforded me, I was able to keep getting scholarships, grants and loans, so that I was able to get a quality education and get my degree in four years. That degree enabled me to be employed by a large international CPA firm (now KPMG), to later spend a 28 year career with Alltel, and now to be the Audit Partner at Miller & Company, CPAs. And attribute it all to the opportunities the University of Arkansas provided to me. That is why we have and will continue to support the University. We are giving back, so that others may have the opportunities that the U of A has given to us. ~Jerry Fetzer

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Year End Message From Director

As we wind down to the end of the year and begin to look ahead to a new one, it’s a good time to take stock of our accomplishments as well as our goals. For Annual Programs, we took on the task of raising funds for the university during one of the worst recessions of our time. I was inspired, that even in the face of dwindling stocks and soaring prices, the loyal alumni and friends of the University of Arkansas continued to make their annual gifts. It is such a good feeling to know I am a part of this wonderful institution and to see the love and admiration that so many have expressed through their support. The fact is, our university would not be where it is today without your help. Thank you for a great 2009; I’m excited to see how your giving will continue to positively impact our students in 2010!

Rachel Neeley
Director, Office of Annual Programs