With just one week before the May 1 priority deadline, 29 percent of faculty and staff have already participated in the 2014 Red, White & True effort. That’s an impressive 1,458 individuals who have stepped up and made a gift of any size this fiscal year in addition to the time, energy and enthusiasm they already give to the YOU of A each day.

Thanks to everyone who has participated, and thanks to the 36 departments across campus that have reached or exceeded the 50 percent participation mark! To celebrate and show our appreciation, mini red velvet cupcakes were delivered last week to the groups listed below. Special thanks go to the UARK Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the sweet treats! They believe in people helping people and have been a loyal partner of Red, White & True for the past three years. To learn more about the UARK Federal Credit Union, please visit their website.

Haven’t made your commitment yet? There’s still time! All gifts made by May 1 will be included in the results announced during this year’s celebration event, so please make your gift today and make a difference for the YOU of A. You can give online or download a Red, White & True participation packet for additional options, including payroll deduction. Red, White & True is hoping to top last year’s record of 31 percent participation, and your support can make it happen.

Remember, when we give at work, our gifts go to work. Last year, gifts under $100 added up to more than $111,000, and you can designate your contribution to your own college, department or other campus programs like KUAF, Diversity Affairs or the University Libraries.  Other popular funds include the Full Circle Campus Food Pantry, the Staff Senate Scholarship Fund and annual membership in the Arkansas Alumni Association, so pick your passion.

Faculty and staff also have the unique opportunity to double their impact this year by supporting a new initiative on campus!  Thanks to a generous challenge gift from Honors College Dean Bob McMath and his wife, Linda, your donation to the Path Program will help talented U of A students from underrepresented populations and will be doubled dollar for dollar. 

Questions?  Find a Red, White & True volunteer in your unit or contact staff liaison Merin Macechko at 575-2280 or merin@uark.edu.

The following departments were recognized last week during the first 50 percent participation recognition day:

• Arkansas Alumni Association (100%)
• Arkansas World Trade Center (57%)
• Athletics Administration (55%)
• Baseball (60%)
• Boyer Center for Student Services (50%)
• Career Services (55%)
• Cash Management (100%)
• Contracted Services (50%)
• Donor Relations & Special Events (80%)
• Education Reform (54%)
• Engineering Dean's Office (53%)
• Enhanced Learning Center (80%)
• Facility Planning Administration (67%)
• Fulbright College Honors Program (67%)
• Honors College (50%)
• Integrated Student Information System (67%)
• Journalism (67%)
• KUAF (100%)
• Middle East Studies Program (67%)
• Off Campus Connections (75%)
• Office of Study Abroad & International Exchange (50%)
• Office of the Chancellor (100%)
• Office of the Dean of Students (80%)
• Office of the Vice Chancellor for Advancement (100%)
• Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity (50%)
• Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration (50%)
• Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs (50%)
• Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral & Visual History (60%)
• Research Support & Sponsored Programs (56%)
• Technology Licensing Office (67%)
• Track (60%)
• University Development (77%)
• University Relations (72%)
• Utility Operations & Maintenance Administration (67%)
• Vice President for Agriculture (100%)
• Women's Golf (100%)

Participation rates listed were current as of last week’s recognition day. Any additional departments that achieve 50 percent participation will be thanked with cupcakes in the coming weeks.