FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas has raised $120,104 for the Washington County United Way through its annual campus-wide campaign, slightly surpassing its $120,000 goal.

Faculty and staff from more than 70 UA divisions participated in the fund-raising effort, which kicked off in September 2002.

UA Chancellor John A. White said, "This is a fantastic show of support for the Washington County United Way by our faculty and staff. The agencies supported by the United Way touch the lives of many people in our community and this success shows that the University of Arkansas community cares. There’s another reason why our success is important: because it shows the University is willing to step up and support for a good cause. During a time when we are asking the community to support our Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, it says 'the people of the University of Arkansas support the community.’"

The University has contributed more than $1.5 million to the Washington County United Way since its first campus campaign in 1984. Approximately 35 UA staff volunteers who gathered donations from individual departments and campus organizations drove this year’s campaign.

Barbara Taylor, associate vice chancellor for human resources, said, "We are pleased with the generosity of UA faculty and staff in this year’s United Way campaign. Participation in supporting our campaign is completely voluntary so the fact that we met our goal of $120,000 is very encouraging. It shows that we have a lot of caring and generous people here at the University of Arkansas."

More than 30 agencies in Washington County benefit from the United Way including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s House, NWA Crisis Intervention, the Council on Aging and the Single Parent Scholarship Fund.

Barbara Taylor, associate vice chancellor for human resources, and Bill Warnock, assistant dean for the College of Engineering, are the co-chairs for the 2002 campaign.

A victory celebration will be held to thank University of Arkansas participants in the annual United Way campaign at 1:30 p.m. March 26 in the lobby of the Administration Building.