The success of Eastern Michigan University's annual Faculty
and Staff Giving Program has long been predicated on healthy
participation numbers and a focus on improving students'
lives on campus.
Last year, 948 faculty, emeritus faculty and staff contributed
more than $456,000 toward approximately 1,070 accounts
that include scholarships, departments, lab equipment,
training and development programs, endowed chairs and many
other areas. This year's campaign goal, revealed at a kick-off
breakfast in McKenny Union's Guild Hall Oct 31, is to improve
participation numbers and raise a minimum of $445,000.
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A STRONG FOUNDATION: (above left) Karen
Paciorek
and Michael Paciorek (far right) are honored
with
plaques for their leadership service during
last year's
Faculty and Staff Giving Program. The
two, who will
again serve as co-chairs for this
year's campaign,
were honored during a kick-off
breakfast event in
McKenny Union's Guild Hall Oct.
31. Also pictured is
Darryl Sczepanski, vice president
for advancement
and executive director of the EMU
Foundation. This
year's goal is $445,000. Photo
by Randy Mascharka
|
Due to the success of last year's campaign, Michael and
Karen Paciorek were again tapped to co-chair this year's
program. The two were honored with plaques shortly before
the kick-off event.
"It's not really about the amount (given). It's contributing
and contributing what you feel comfortable with," said
Michael Paciorek, professor of health promotion and human
performance. "If we can just get people to start donating
to the program, that's important. Everybody wants what's
best for the students. We believe that is the message this
year."
"I think giving to the faculty and staff campaign is our
one opportunity to double-dip, in a way. It's different
than giving to an organization you don't have contact with," said
Karen Menke Paciorek, professor of teacher education. "It's
fun to choose an account where you want your money to go."
EMU President John Fallon acknowledged last year's effort,
saying more than $450,000 is a lot of money.
"Maybe more important, there were more than 200 additional
contributors from the year before. That's a promising signal.
It shows optimism and confidence," Fallon said.
Fallon tempered his remarks slightly, saying this year's
campaign presents additional challenges, alluding to faculty
and administrators, who are still in contract negotiations.
"No matter what is going on on campus, this is all about
the students," said Darryl Sczepanski, vice president for
advancement and executive director of the EMU Foundation. "That
part of the equation has not changed in the last month
or even the last year. They're still the same hard-working
students. Let's keep that in mind when we talk to our colleagues."
For each donation made, 100 percent of each pledge goes
to the account the donor designates.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to donate at any time,
but late fall is the period to consider making year-end
donations for tax benefits. The deadline to make a contribution
through payroll deduction is Friday, Dec. 8. That will
ensure that payroll deduction pledges start with the first
pay period in January 2007. If a staff or faculty member's
pledge is received after that date, the pledge will be
divided over whatever number of pay periods remain for
the year. Gift receipts for payroll deduction gifts will
be mailed in January 2008.
Every gift counts toward the campaign total and will be
listed in the Faculty and Staff Giving Honor Roll.
Faculty and staff giving information can be found at www.emufoundation.org.
Gifts also can be made there. A list of all accounts to
which a gift can be designated is available at www.emufoundation.org/wheretogive
For more information, contact Annual Fund Manager Pamela
Wright, (734) 481-2308, or e-mail her at pamela.wright@emich.edu
