Gordon Maner

A special event to kick off the Faculty and Staff Campaign is being planned for March 21 from 3-5 p.m. at Georgia Hall in the Tate Student Center. Further details of the event, which will include student performances and refreshments, will be announced in an upcoming issue of Columns.

Gordon Maner, local government program manager in UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, is a donor who gives to multiple areas on campus.

He says, “The University of Georgia’s excellence is far-­reaching, and as an employee of this institution, I think it’s important to support the good work that’s happening all over campus and abroad. This campaign gives us all an opportunity to show our pride in the outstanding service, instruction and research under way at UGA.”

David Jones, director of annual and special giving at UGA, says, “Every gift—no matter the size—is significant. This is our opportunity to take part in the Archway to Excellence Campaign—something that’s so important to our university.”

An increase in the percentage of employees making gifts to the university also demonstrates to other constituencies—such as corporations and foundations—that the campus community is motivated to take UGA to the next level.

“Faculty and staff have a unique perspective on the needs of the university, because they see those needs in the faces of our students every day,” Jones says. “This campaign will provide the opportunity for faculty and staff to help address those needs, and make UGA an even better institution.”

UGA has almost 10,000 employees and more than 2,400 retirees. All will be asked to take part in the faculty and staff campaign.

Jones says that faculty and staff donors have a unique opportunity of seeing the results of their gifts firsthand because they can designate gifts to their favorite area at UGA.

“Gifts can be directed to benefit the department where you work or essentially any other place on campus,” he says.