Faculty and Staff Show True Colors in Second Annual Red, White & True Effort

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University Libraries employees pose with their ice cream during last week's Red, White & True celebration event.

Faculty and staff members show their University of Arkansas pride each and every day. Whether it’s teaching a class, mentoring a student, overseeing a program or keeping campus running, they all work together to make the Arkansas experience an exceptional one. So when employees were asked to show their true colors by participating in the second annual Red, White & True campus philanthropy program, which ended June 30, it’s not surprising they responded in record numbers.

During the 2012 fiscal year, 30 percent of current and retired employees — 1,383 people — made a gift to an area of campus they care about most.  That’s 365 more donors than last year, including 156 staff and faculty members who made their very first gift to the YOU of A during the 2012 effort. As the university community continues to grow, this increase is even more important. And together, the group contributed nearly $530,000 to 229 different funds all across campus.

To celebrate this record-breaking year, more than 120 faculty and staff members gathered last week for an ice cream social sponsored by the UARK Federal Credit Union. Chancellor G. David Gearhart and Red, White & True co-chairs Sharon Hunt and Bob McMath thanked the crowd for their participation and announced the results of the 2012 effort.

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of faculty and staff gift support,” said Chancellor Gearhart. “You’re investing in your workplace, and for many of you, your alma mater. That sends a powerful message inside and out of the university about the importance of philanthropy.”

There’s strength in numbers, so when current and retired employees joined together for the 2012 Red, White & True effort, the impact is far-reaching.

“Whether you chose to support student scholarships, faculty research, service programs or your own college, school or department, our gifts — no matter the size — help build an even better YOU of A from the inside out,” said McMath. “In fact, gifts under $100 added up to more than $96,000 for our students and programs.”

To see pictures from the ice cream social or to find out more about the annual Red, White & True faculty and staff giving program, please visit http://annualfund.uark.edu/facultystaff.php.