With two weeks left in the 2012 Red, White & True effort, 30 departments on the University of Arkansas campus have already reached or exceeded 50 percent participation in this year’s faculty and staff giving program! To celebrate and say thanks, mini red velvet cupcakes and Red, White & True buttons were delivered to the offices listed below during last week’s 50 percent recognition day.

Congratulations also go to the following nine groups that have achieved a perfect 100 percent participation rate in this year’s effort: Constituent Relations, Freshman Engineering Program, Government Relations, KUAF, Middle East Studies Program, the Office of the Chancellor, Utility Operations and Maintenance Administration, the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement’s Office and Women’s Golf.  

“It’s exciting to see how the campus community is getting involved in the 2^nd annual Red, White & True effort, which concludes June 30,” said Sharon Hunt, program co-chair and professor of health, human performance and recreation. “Such high participation by these offices makes a statement that University of Arkansas employees truly believe in this university, and it encourages other departments on campus to get involved.”

Staff and faculty members across campus agree.

“I give primarily to help students who may be struggling to complete an education,” said Sylvia Scott, director of Off Campus Connections.  “Many students must work in addition to attending classes. There are not many scholarships available for non-traditional students.  I give to help those who are underrepresented in some way.”

“It’s not a matter of how much you contribute, but that you do so,” said John A. White, Distinguished Professor of industrial engineering and chancellor emeritus. “Throughout my time on the Georgia Tech faculty, I contributed financially to the Georgia Tech Foundation. I did not believe I could encourage Georgia Tech alumni to contribute financially if I were not doing so. I have continued that practice since joining the UA faculty.”

Haven’t participated yet? There’s still time! Gifts of any size received by June 30 will be counted in the 2012 effort and will help us beat last year’s universitywide record of 28 percent participation. Gifts can be designated to any scholarship, program, college or department at the U of A, so give to the area you’re most passionate about, and help boost your group’s participation rate before the next 50 percent recognition day, set for Wednesday, June 20.

To join in the excitement or see pictures from the first 50 percent recognition day, visit http://annualfund.uark.edu/facultystaff.php.

The following departments were recognized for reaching or exceeding 50 percent participation:

• Constituent Relations (100%)
• Freshman Engineering Program (100%)
• Government Relations (100%)
• KUAF (100%)
• Middle East Studies Program (100%)
• Office of the Chancellor (100%)
• Utility Operations and Maintenance Administration (100%)
• Vice Chancellor for University Advancement’s Office (100%)
• Women's Golf (100%)
• University Development (82%)
• Journalism (74%)
• Arkansas Alumni Association (73%)
• Arkansas World Trade Center (67%)
• Cash Management (67%)
• Integrated Student Information System (67%)
• Special Events (67%)
• Industrial Engineering (63%)
• Research Support & Sponsored Programs (63%)
• Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office (62%)
• Men's Baseball (60%)
• Men's Cross Country / Track & Field (60%)
• Study Abroad & International Exchange (60%)
• Bumpers College Dean's Office (54%)
• Anthropology (50%)
• Boyer Center for Student Services (50%)
• Communication (50%)
• Off Campus Connections (50%)
• Research & Economic Development (50%)
• University Relations (50%)
• Vice President for Agriculture's Office (50%)

Note: Participation rates listed were pulled on June 4.