Jim Moore has been doing it for more than 20 years, steady
and consistent. His colleague in the vet school, Chris Barker,
started regularly about five years ago.
Both men call their gifts modest, but over time their contributions
have continued to add up. Every month, through payroll deduction,
they give back to the University of Georgia.
Why?
Moore said he considers the university more than just a place
to work. “There are many worthy programs within the
university that are not supported by state funds,” he
said. “Without private support, they wouldn’t
exist, and I don't think it is reasonable to always look
to people outside the university for that 'private support'.”
Moore, a research professor, and Barker, a veterinary technician,
are among an expanding group of UGA faculty and staff donors.
This month, staff and retirees will be invited to celebrate
the campus kickoff of the Archway to Excellence Campaign
at a reception and program featuring refreshments and door
prizes. Current employees and retirees will all be given
an opportunity to participate in the campaign.
“The University of Georgia’s students, faculty
and staff greatly benefit from private contributions to our
academic programs, and if UGA is to maintain and enhance
its learning environment, it is essential that this support
continues,” said Arnett C. Mace, Senior Vice President
for Academic Affairs and Provost.
Moore said UGA faculty and staff members should not be concerned
about the size of their gifts to the university. “Don't
worry if the amount you are considering might be small in
comparison to what someone else is donating,” he said. “The
key to giving is to be consistent and let it become a habit
rather than a one-time choice.”
Barker said even though he considers his monthly donations
to be small, it still helps. “It doesn’t equal
out to a whole lot, but it is a contribution.”
These donations are part of the more than $390 million that
has been raised so far toward the $500 million goal of the
campaign. Mace said this support is an indication that donors
believe in the work being done at UGA.
“It’s clear that UGA alumni and friends value
the work of UGA faculty and staff and have confidence in
their ability to prepare today’s youth to be tomorrow’s
productive and engaged world citizens,” he said. “Now
it is time for the members of the university community to
show UGA donors and friends that we, too, support the Archway
to Excellence goals of Building the New Learning Environment,
Maximizing Research Opportunities, and Competing in a Global
Economy.”
The campus kickoff is scheduled for March 21, 2006. The program runs from
3-5 p.m. at Georgia Hall in the Tate Student Center. Door
prizes include tickets to UGA sporting events, a golf package,
tickets to events at the Performing Arts Center, gourmet
gift baskets and much more.
Building the New Learning Environment
The new learning environment is an academic and intellectual
community on the campus of the University of Georgia humming
with the vibrancy of the true college experience—bright
and talented students working with brilliant faculty formally
in the classroom and informally over a cup of coffee or lounging
in the greenspace which stretches from one end of campus to
the other. It is a place which recognizes that new information
technologies are transforming traditional academic disciplines
and embraces those opportunities. |
