December 14, 2006
For Immediate Release
For more info:
Val Hale
(801) 863-8335
Philanthropists Reward UVSC Community with Final Challenge
Utah Valley State College has met the fund-raising challenge introduced by Ira and Mary Lou Fulton, and the philanthropists are rewarding the school for its success in the inaugural year of the program.
Last April, the Fultons challenged deans and administrators at the College to establish fund-raising goals for their divisions. For those that reached the mark by Dec. 31, the Fultons agreed to match the amount of the goal. Alumni, faculty, staff, students and board members were eligible to participate in the fund-raising campaign, with the Fultons matching gifts up to $1,000 per donor.
UVSC Advancement & Marketing Vice President Val Hale announced this week that all schools and departments have surpassed their goals, which totaled $313,000. The combined donations are now more than $375,000. Consequently, the Fultons have agreed to match the total amount raised by the schools, not just the amount of the original goal.
“Every dean, every department, every student was determined to reach the goal, and they did it. That’s a significant accomplishment,” Hale said. “Now, thanks to the generosity of the Fultons, the UVSC community has the opportunity to continue doubling donations through the end of the year. We hope those who haven’t given yet will take advantage of this newly opened window of opportunity.”
The Fultons and UVSC administrators have been pleasantly surprised with the success of the fund-raising challenge, in addition to the spirit of giving the challenge has spurred.
“I’ve never seen one single act have such an impact in improving the culture of giving on a campus,” said President William A. Sederburg. “I’ve heard many great stories of how Ira and Mary Lou’s challenge has inspired people to dig a little deeper to help college students at UVSC.”
One class of about 20 UVSC students, taught by School of Business Professor David Flint, donated $1,000 to the cause. A student in the strategic management class offered to match every $5 donation made by the class that night. His challenge prompted a couple of other students to match donations, as well. By the end of the night, they had raised more than $1,000.
Collectively, the UVSC student body has donated more than their goal of $24,000, which they reached in October. Student Body President Andrew Stone said when he told the Fultons the students would raise $24,000 before January, they were skeptical.
“Ira gave us $12,000 as a second goal,” Stone said. “He wasn’t sure students would donate that much. To us, raising one dollar from every student didn’t seem like a lot.”
Hale said the College plans to have a special celebration in January to honor those who contributed and to thank the Fultons for introducing the matching opportunity. The date of the celebration has not yet been determined.
The College will accept charitable donations until December 31. Donations given before the end of the year may be tax-deductible. Contributions can be earmarked for various areas on campus, including scholarships, academic programs and athletics. To give to UVSC, please contact Kathy Johnson at (801) 863-6478 or visit http://resource.uvu.edu/fultonchallenge.
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College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Kim Chapman
(801) 863-7011
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