Red, White & True, the annual employee giving initiative that debuted on campus last spring, is gearing up for another successful year. Sharon Hunt, professor of health, human performance and recreation and faculty athletics representative, and Bob McMath, dean of the Honor’s College and professor of history, are serving as co-chairs of the upcoming 2012 effort. Both leaders share a passion for the University of Arkansas and understand the difference private gift support makes for our students and programs.

“The University of Arkansas has educated three generations of my family,” said Hunt. “It is a privilege to give back to our alma mater to express our gratitude for what the U of A has meant to our family in the past and to ‘pay it forward’ for those who will attend this institution in the future.”

“I am happy to co-chair this year’s Red, White & True effort, along with Sharon Hunt,” said McMath. “My wife Linda and I love to see our gifts at work on campus, supporting students and contributing in other small ways to the university we love.”

The faculty and staff giving program is coordinated by Merin Macechko, associate director in the office of annual programs within university development.

“Just as our strength as a university comes from our people, Red, White & True is successful because of our volunteers,” Macechko said. “Sharon Hunt and Bob McMath understand the importance of building an even better University of Arkansas from the inside out and will be wonderful ambassadors of philanthropy on campus.”

In the first year alone, 28 percent of faculty and staff — that’s 1,018 individuals — collectively gave more than half a million dollars to support our own students, programs, facilities and research. In the coming months, the campus community will hear more about the 2012 Red, White & True initiative and how individual gifts can come together to make a big difference for the YOU of A. After such a successful inaugural program, this year’s effort is poised to reach even greater heights!

For more information or to join in the excitement, please visit http://annualfund.uark.edu/facultystaff.