News Release

Faculty/staff fundraising breaks records

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The 28^th annual faculty/staff campaign to raise funds for St. Cloud State University programs and scholarships broke a number of records this year ‒ dollars raised, number of donors and participation rate.

• The drive conducted this spring raised more than $250,000, an increase of 20 percent over 2008 and double the amount raised in 2007. 
• The number of contributors – 620 faculty members, staff, emeriti faculty and emeriti staff – includes an increase of 92 new donors compared to last year.
• Those contributors represent 32 percent of eligible donors, a participation rate that reflects a 4% increase over last year’s rate.  Faculty and staff in the College of Education and the G.R. Herberger College of Business (HCOB) helped drive that increase by achieving milestones of their own: a participation rate of 50 percent in the College of Education and a 77 percent participation rate in the HCOB.

In addition to funding designated by donors for a variety of academic programs, the $250,000 raised this year will significantly increase funding for student scholarships, according to 2009 drive co-chairs Les Green ‘93, cultural diversity director in the College of Education, and Professor of Management Elaine Davis ‘77. 

"Changing Students’ Lives," the theme of this year’s drive, is a message that resonates with faculty and staff and may help account for their generosity, Green said.  "For some students, the scholarships we fund can make a huge difference."  He suggested that the success of this year’s drive is also due to efforts by university leadership to increase awareness of the need.

"We have real energy and enthusiasm here on campus, with everyone concerned about students and providing them with financial assistance and opportunities to prepare them for life," said Kurt Stelten ‘93, a St. Cloud State Foundation development director.  "Through the philanthropy of our alumni, friends, faculty and staff, St. Cloud State ignites learning and discovery to turn the hopes and dreams of our students into reality."

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