Faculty and staff asked to join community of donors
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--Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Monica White
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It’s the time of year faculty and staff at SUNY Fredonia will begin receiving information in their campus mail on how to contribute to scholarships or to endowments that benefit their favorite departments and programs.
Through the annual All-Campus Appeal, the Fredonia College Foundation makes a special effort to draw in needed support from faculty and staff to help maintain and expand SUNY Fredonia's excellence. Employees will receive information in their campus mail very soon, telling them how to contribute through a payroll deduction or cash contribution.
So why do so many members of the staff and faculty choose to contribute to the All-Campus Appeal?
Not surprisingly, there are as many reasons as there are supporters of this campaign, but all supporters share an unwavering motivation to make a positive difference to the campus and its students.
“I support the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship and Leadership Program because I believe in our students. I believe that all students have the potential to be successful through academics, leadership and life,” said Monica White, assistant vice president, Student Affairs. “I give because it matters in their lives!”
Dr. James Hurtgen, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Political Science, and his wife, Andy, point to several reasons to support the campaign. “We feel privileged to be part of something as important as the education of our young people. We are grateful for the many friends and colleagues who have enriched our lives over the years of our association with the university,” said Hurtgen, whose two sons earned undergraduate degrees at SUNY Fredonia.
“However, the most important reason is this: Fredonia asks its alumni to be generous in contributing to the mission of the university. In asking for their contributions we want to stand with them in making our own.”
Dr. Joseph Straight, professor, Mathematical Sciences, utilizes the All-Campus Appeal to contribute to several scholarship endowments, including some that honor professors that he and his wife, Wendy, had while they were undergraduates here. Among those so honored every year by the Straights are two of their favorite teachers, Frank Olson and Bob Schweik.
“These days, I often find myself in the position of asking alumni and friends of the department for support. I hope I’m able to make a better and more sincere case because I’m willing to ‘put my money where my mouth is.’”
Moreover, as a long-serving member of the Enrollment Management Committee, Straight says he “knows how crucial it is that SUNY Fredonia build on its endowments in order to attract and retain the best students.”
Supporting the All-Campus Appeal is also a shared goal in the Tramuta household. “Both Laurie and I support the All-Campus Appeal and the Fredonia College Foundation because we feel a strong commitment to give back to our alma mater. We both received such a wonderful education here and we want to do all we can to help current and prospective students realize their hopes and dreams as well,” said Dan Tramuta, associate vice president for Enrollment Services.
Every year for the past two decades, Geosciences professor Dr. Michael Wilson has maintained or enlarged his gifts to SUNY Fredonia’s endowments, especially funds for scholarships and awards. “I see my endowment giving as part of my overall commitment to student development, paralleling approximately 150 student practicum experiences within a framework of research grants and public service participation.”
In addition to helping students in subjects allied with his professional activities, Wilson also focuses his funds on activities of personal interest or to honor people who mean something to him, “such as contributing to existing funds honoring friends Bob Gloor and his interest in theatre, Charles Eikenburg and his interest in opera, and Flossie Eikenburg and her concerns for under-represented science.”
Tracy Collingwood, director, Career Development, chooses to support the Judith A. Elwinger Internship endowment fund because she believes in students and knows how important gaining internship experience is for their future career success.
“An internship provides the opportunity to confirm career choices, apply classroom learning, gain hands on work experience and valuable contacts, and is often considered the ‘first job’ in a competitive job market. I give because internships can make a difference in students’ lives!”
Mike Daley, director, Human Resources, said it’s been a pleasure to contribute to every All-Campus Appeal since he joined the campus. “I have had the opportunity to work closely with many wonderful colleagues and energetic students over the past 10 years. They have consistently displayed a productive work ethic, a shared love of learning and a true commitment to this great university,” he explained.
“It seems only logical, therefore, to support the ongoing educational efforts of our students as the productive work performed with dedication and purpose by my Fredonia colleagues through the campaign,” Daley said.
Support of the All-Campus Appeal is close to home for Jefferson Westwood, director, Rockefeller Arts Center. “I contribute to the All-Campus Appeal because I like to support my own department. I also really like the payroll deduction option. It is so much easier to give $19.25 out of every paycheck, which is virtually painless, than it is to write a $500 check once a year,” Westwood said.
The annual "All-Campus Appeal" is coordinated with other fundraising activities of the Foundation, which reach out to parents, alumni, local businesses and foundations, as well as the community at large, to support the college. The coordinator of the campaign is Timothy Murphy, director of development.
All faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the appeal through payroll deduction or with gifts of cash to the Fredonia College Foundation. Donors wishing to establish new endowments should contact the Foundation Office at extension 3321.
"By contributing to the All-Campus Appeal," President Dennis L. Hefner said, "faculty and staff have the opportunity to help ensure that future students continue to be nurtured and inspired by SUNY Fredonia."
"The building of endowments translates into more available scholarships for deserving students and the development of new programs – all of which benefit student learning," Hefner said.
About the Fredonia College Foundation
The Fredonia College Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1964 during the presidency of Oscar A. Lanford to encourage and accept private gifts and endowments from individuals and corporations in order to support the students, faculty, and programs of the State University of New York at Fredonia.
