Greg Burghardt

The Campus Campaign is a chance for faculty, staff and retirees
to give back to
the university.

The kick-off breakfast for those supporting the campaign took
place Monday in
the Bovee University Center Terrace Room.

Volunteers help show others why it is important to make donations
to CMU, said
Geoffrey Bartlett, annual giving director.

Last year, the campaign raised $285,000 from 567 pledges. This
year’s goal
is $338,000 from 655 pledges. The number of the pledges
represents 25 percent
of those contacted.

“The more involvement we have, the more successful the
program is,”
he said.

“You are the cornerstone, you provide communication that
will make this campaign
successful,” Bartlett told the volunteers. “Talk about
the campaign,
tell people why you are supportive of it, ask them to support
it.”

People who want to support a department can encourage
donations for it, Bartlett
said. Membership in the Campus Campaign is not necessary.

“This allows us to invest in the areas that mean most to
us,” he said.

Physics Professor Joe Finck is this year’s chairman of the
campaign.

“I see a huge cross-section of people from Central Michigan
University. I
admire your giving spirit, and I admire your leadership for this
program,”
he said.

University President Michael Rao also was on hand to praise the
volunteers.

“This is the most generous group of faculty, staff and
retirees in my opinion,”
Rao said. “Your support goes a long way in communicating
the importance of
making a commitment to your own organization.

“I can’t underscore enough the importance of why
and how the learning
experience in general is so enhanced by the investments you have
made,” he
said.

All faculty, staff and retirees receive a brochure with a form for
donations.

The university matches each donation made. For donations
between $500 and $2,500,
the university will match it exactly, and for contributions less than
$500, it
adds $1 for every $2 donated.

The university matched last year’s contributions with
$255,000 for a total
of $540,000.

Matching helps the first-time donor know their gifts are
appreciated, Bartlett
said.

“We cannot do what we try to do for this university without the
support of
everyone.”

The campaign ends Nov. 9. Contributions also are accepted at

www.cmich.edu/advancement/campus-campaign.htm.

For more information, contact Bartlett at 774-7112.

E-mail the author: LIFE Staff Reports