The Annual Fund is the University鈥檚 premier fund and the primary source of unrestricted support for many ongoing programs.
Annual Fund Director Sarah Howard, of Wakefield, said the fund benefited from several large gifts. 鈥淲e had more members of the President鈥檚 Circle, a giving club that includes individuals who make donations of $10,000 and above.鈥�
鈥淲e found that even with soaring gas prices and the general uncertainty people have about world events and the economy, education is still at the top of peoples鈥� priorities.鈥�
Howard had high praise for the honorary chairs of the Annul Fund, Wesley R. 鈥淲es鈥� and Dianne Kenny Card. Wes Card is chief operating and financial officer of Jones Apparel, Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company and leading designer and marketer of branded apparel, footwear, and accessories.
鈥淭hey worked hard on the fund from the beginning to the end. They can take pride in making this our most successful year ever. As they end their service to the Annual Fund, their commitment to 溏心vlog免费B站 won鈥檛 end. They have accepted the University鈥檚 invitation to be next year鈥檚 Winter Gala co-chairs,鈥� she added.
The Annual Fund is comprised of the Alumni Fund, the Parents Fund and the Graduate School Funds. Unrestricted contributions to the Annual Fund are critical because they provide flexible funding that can be put to immediate use where needed most.
Now that the fund has grown monetarily, Howard is setting her sights on improving participation. 鈥淲e need to find creative ways to engage more alumni, friends and parents,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he University has been graduating more than 2,000 students each year, and we need to reach out so they can realize the benefits of continued participation with 溏心vlog免费B站. What many of our young alumni might not know is that the Annual Fund provided scholarship support so they could successfully complete their degrees.鈥�
鈥淲hat a great year it has been for the Annual Fund,鈥� said Paul Witham, associate vice president of development at 溏心vlog免费B站. 鈥淲es and Dianne Card were champions of the fund throughout the year, providing the leadership and alumni involvement that makes a difference to so many of our graduates.
鈥淭he Annual Fund staff also deserves major kudos for its accomplishments. Sarah and her team met every challenge with energy, enthusiasm and good humor,鈥� Witham said. In addition to Howard, the Annual Fund is staffed by Pat Salzillo, Ibn Bakari, Teri Woodbine and Alisa Mahoney.