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| Posted 05.16.07 |
Wesleyan Raises $135,000 for United Way
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Wesleyan is donating more than $135,000 to the
Middlesex United Way Campaign this year. Middlesex United Way supports
critical human care services and county-wide projects that improve community
conditions.
Funds were raised through the annual Wesleyan Employee Campaign. This year,
45 percent of all employees made a donation, with the average gift of $252.
Wesleyan has 43 staff and faculty members in the Leadership Circle. This
year, these leaders gave $65,476 or 48.5 percent of the total.
A number of departments had 100 percent participation including the Center
for the Arts, Classical Studies Department, Office of International Studies,
Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science, Office of the
Registrar and the Religion Department.
Pam Tatge, director of the Center for the Arts, and Frank Kuan, director of
community relations at the Center for Community Partnerships served as
co-chairs.
This year’s campaign fell about $6,000 short of the initial goal, but Tatge
and Kuan are still pleased with the amount raised. Kuan believes that the
economy, rising cost of fuels, and skyrocketing gas prices probably added to
individuals' inability to be as generous.
“Although we are short of or stated goal this year, the sum donated is still
very significant and will be put to good use to meet critical needs in our
communities,” Tatge says.
The Wesleyan Employee Campaign still remains in the top three in Middlesex
County.
Information Technology Services stood out as the leading department this
year. Shawn Hill, ITS desktop support specialist, was a “terrific
coordinator,” Kuan says, raising ITS’s participation to 80 percent and
increasing giving by $1,400.
Wesleyan has been involved with the campaign for more than 60 years. In
2005, Wesleyan made a record-breaking contribution of $140,018.
In Middlesex County, United Way provides ongoing funding for 35 programs and
services including the Amazing Grace Food Pantry, Girl Scouts Connecticut
Trail Council Inc., Boy Scouts Connecticut River Council, Inc., Literacy
Volunteers of Greater Middletown, Middlesex Hospital Family Advocacy
Program, Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater and YMCA of Northern Middlesex
County.
Donors to the United Way Wesleyan Employee Campaign had the opportunity to
take part in a raffle. The winners and prizes are:
Gloster Aaron, assistant professor of biology, assistant professor of
neuroscience and behavior, Wesleyan Computer Store gift certificate; Tom
DiMauro, analyst programmer, one-day arts workshop at Green Street Arts
Center; Judith Brown, professor of history, Center for the Arts tickets and
dinner gift certificate to Typhoon Restaurant; Cliff Thornton, associate
dean of admission, gift basket from Broad Street Books; Helen Aiello,
serials librarian, Wilson tennis racket and tennis balls from Freeman
Athletic Center; Carol Scully, director of Foundation and Corporate
Relations, an overnight stay at Inn at Middletown; and Fernando DeGiovanni,
assistant professor of Latin American studies, assistant professor of
romance languages and literatures, an overnight stay at Water's Edge Resort
and Spa.
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By Olivia Bartlett, The Wesleyan Connection
editor |
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