FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More than 70 University of Arkansas divisions and individual departments received special recognition today for a high level of participation in the 2002 United Way campaign. The campus surpassed its goal by almost $3000, contributing a total of $122,988.

"The members of our campus community deserve 'double praise' for their support of the United Way campaign at the University of Arkansas. They increased the rate of participation and exceeded the financial goal for this year's campaign," said Chancellor John A. White. "The University of Arkansas has risen to the occasion of helping others during a time when the budgets of many are tight and the nightly news delivers discouraging reports of recession and war.

"This is one of the UA community's proudest moments, because it was done for others not ourselves. By sharing their time, their compassion, their trust and their money, members of our campus community have demonstrated that they are dedicated to supporting the local organizations that do so much to help those who need a helping hand. By doing so, this campus has demonstrated a most important aspect of how the University of Arkansas is dedicated to serving Arkansas and the world," White said.

An increase in general participation helped put the University’s contributions over the top. Individual and group donations made from members of the campus community numbered 951 as compared to 850 last year. The awards are in the form of gold, silver or bronze certificates, and are based on levels of participation.

It's important to recognize the departments and units that reach high levels of giving because individual employees and entire teams and work groups in these areas have together made extraordinary efforts, exceeding expectations, and contributing even more than their fair share to the United Way campaign," said Barbara Taylor, co-chair of the University’s United Way campaign.  "They deserve special recognition this year because there were so many requests for assistance in the wake of September 11th.  Our faculty, staff, and students responded generously, both to the victims of the terrorist attacks and to the on-going needs of their own local community." 

Last year, the University was nine percent shy of its $120,000 goal, with only 40 departments on campus having reached levels of giving that merited the certificates of recognition from the United Way.

"In many University departments, including my own, United Way bronze, silver, and gold certificates are displayed prominently," Taylor said.  "They reflect the ability and the eagerness of our campus to help the people of Washington County, the diverse members of our larger community who need our assistance and that of the United Way member agencies."

The University was also specially recognized this week at the Washington County United Way luncheon on Tuesday with the "measurable outcome award" for being one of the area’s largest contributors to the annual campaign.

'The Measurable Impact Award which the University has received this year means that our contributions have truly made a discernable difference to the United Way and to its member agencies.  They need our support and we have given it generously," Taylor said.

The Washington County United Way supports more than 30 agencies such as Abilities Unlimited, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Children’s House, NWA Crisis Intervention and others.

Support by University employees is completely voluntary.

With a community of close to 20,000 members, it takes a volunteer staff of several hundred campus employees and many hours to accomplish the goal set in any given year. "This year's campaign was a challenging one," Taylor said. "Our kick-off date was September 10th.   There were times when we weren't certain that we would -- or could -- reach our goal.  We exceeded it.  As co-chairs, Bill Curington and I are pleased and proud that the extraordinary efforts of the many people who helped with the University campaign have produced such remarkable results."

The University has participated in the Washington County United Way campaign since 1984 and since that time has contributed more than $1.5 million to the community through this effort.

 

# # #