Participation in Faculty and Staff Campaign sets record

More than 51 percent of faculty and staff members participated in this year's Faculty and Staff Campaign, setting a new record for faculty/staff giving and continuing Grand Valley's history of being the most generous university community in Michigan.

The 2010-2011 campaign raised $962,814. These gifts allow Grand Valley to continue providing the edge of excellence that makes the university such a great place to work and learn. These gifts empower students who benefit in a variety of ways including free tutoring, scholarships and capital projects such as the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons and the L. William Seidman Center. Private gifts also help Grand Valley keep tuition below the state average.
   
The theme of this year's campaign was “50 Reasons For Giving,” and Grand Valley faculty and staff members enthusiastically joined in on this theme. "I like giving to this campaign because I can see it benefit the students directly," said Steve Mattox, associate professor of geology. "The students have more opportunity to support their learning at Grand Valley or to do research as an undergraduate, which benefits them as they apply to graduate schools or as they compete for a job."    

Many said they give because Grand Valley gives to them in a meaningful way. Nancy K. Mack, professor of mathematics, said she was inspired to give because of the university’s treatment of its faculty. "Grand Valley has always helped me reach my own professional goals, and I wanted to help the university meet its goals and mission in return," she said.
   
Mary Seeger and Bill Baum started the Faculty and Staff Campaign in 1983. This year's campaign was co-chaired by Paul Stephenson, chair of statistics, and Mary Ann Watters, assistant for Regional Math and Science Center. Paul Plotkowski, dean of the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, and Wendy Wenner, dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, served as honorary co-chairs.

Faculty and staff gifts were part of the university’s first comprehensive campaign, Shaping Our Future, and helped the campaign exceed its goal.