K-State kicks off all-university Campaign

 

Volunteers leading the second All-University Campaign, a faculty and staff fundraising effort to benefit the university, agree that what they love most about K-State is the friendly, community atmosphere at a university that is providing students with a first-class education.

It's that same spirit of unity that co-chairs Gayle Doll, Center on Aging director, Jennyfer Owensby, controller's office accountant, and Gary Mortenson, head of the department of music, hope to capture in this year's all-university campaign.

"I like the idea that doing anything 'all-university' might lead to more unity," Doll said. "We as faculty and staff of the university need to step up together to try to continue the efforts to provide quality education."

Funds raised during the all-university campaign benefit K-State's Changing Lives Campaign, the university's most ambitious fundraising initiative with a goal of $500 million to enhance student success, faculty development and the learning environment.

"Why shouldn't everyone who works at K-State want to give something back to the place where we choose to spend our lives and our energies?" Mortenson said. "We care about this place. It's more than just a job."

Over the lifetime of the Changing Lives campaign, 43 percent of current K-State employees have made gifts totaling more than $12.5 million. During last year's first-ever all-university campaign, 16 percent of K-State's faculty and staff made a gift. Campaign organizers hope to build on the success and are aiming to increase the participation rate rather than focusing on dollar amounts.

All-university campaign kickoff pancake breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, Bosco Plaza. For more information visit www.found.ksu.edu/alluniv

"While large donations are always appreciated, small donations are just as important," Owensby said. "Even if employees can only contribute $1, $2 or $5 per pay period, they all help this college reach its academic and administrative goals," Owensby said.

Making a donation is easy. Employees will receive campaign packets in September with detailed instructions and giving materials from one of about 65 volunteer faculty and staff campaign representatives.

The ability to designate exactly what department, program, scholarship or other area of interest a gift will be used toward is an aspect of the campaign that the co-chairs are particularly excited about.

"There are hundreds of funds set up through the KSU Foundation," Mortenson said. "Find one that resonates with you on a personal level and give to that fund, I want to see my gift at work. I want to see it make a difference in my daily life. How better to see the power of giving than to give it to some part of K-State that involves you on a daily basis?"

With declining state support, the future of K-State rests in the hands of willing friends of the university who continue to provide private support for higher education, according to the campaign co-chairs.

"Universities that pursue funding through these sources will survive and prosper," he said. "I want to see K-State thrive long into the future and long after I'm gone."

 

Photo: All-university campaign co-chairs Gayle Doll, Jennyfer Owensby and Gary Mortenson.