January 26, 2006

United Way drive sets record

The 2005 United Way campaign has received contributions and pledges totaling $294,275, a new record.

The final total exceeded the campaign record of $275,209 set in 2004 and resulted in a 5.9 percent increase in total contributions and pledges.

Northwestern employees increased their contributions by 3.6 percent – a total of $274,353. NMFF staff contributed $4,357; Northwestern retirees, emeritus and contributed services faculty contributed $9,585; and silent auction proceeds added $5,980.

Almost 1,000 people made or pledged gifts — 916 staff and faculty members, 56 emeritus faculty, contributed services faculty and retirees, and 27 Northwestern Medical  Faculty Foundation (NMFF) staff.

Of the total amount, United Way agencies will receive $256,310; other charitable organizations will receive $37,965 from the campaign which again allowed donors to write in names of any IRS-recognized non-profit groups.

The Gold Medal winner of the participation rate contest was Student Accounts and Loans (controller’s office) with a 68.42 percent participation rate. The Silver Medal went to Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services at 65.63 percent. Winner of the Bronze Medal was University Relations at 57.5 percent. The Runner-Up Award went to Alumni Relations and Development (Group #1) for its 48.94 percent rate. Brian Peters, director of University Services, said congratulations also goes to IT Tech Support Services for its 48.39 percent participation rate and Alumni Relations and Development (Group #2) for its 44.9 percent participation rate.

Campaign managers were:

Alumni Relations and Development: Megan Sampson, Rebecca Phend and David Nacol; Athletics and Recreation: Daniel Bulfin and Betsi Burns; Business and Administration/Planning: Joey Zafra; Business and Finance: Kay West, Nancy Pinchar, Ingrid Stafford, Tim Keller, Guy Miller, Brian Peters, David Schultz and Don Moore; Center for Public Safety: Mylene Mauclair.

Continuing Studies: Carolyn Feller; Education and Social Policy: Sarah Booth; Graduate School: Simon Greenwold; Information Technology: Jay Needleman, Dennis Sage, Steven Kahrs, Charlene Hunter, Gary Greenberg, Jim Chen, Dana Nielsen and Brian Nielsen; Medill: Loren Ghiglione and Douglas Troutman; Kellogg: David Besanko; Law School: Rita Winters; McCormick: Tom Mason, Beth Abbott and George Nejmeh; Feinberg School: Janet Stevens, Gail Rosenblum, Sheri Lindsay, Erin Yale, Jeffrey Tapper and Laurie Daniels.

Music: Dorothy Wyandt; Provost: Stephen Fisher; Research: Susan Ross, Ellen Feldman and Susan Hall Perdomo; Student Affairs: Catherine Whitcomb and Rebecca Thorne; University Enrollment: Cindy Nash; University Library: Roxanne Sellberg, Laurel Minott, Jeff Garrett, David Bishop and Frank Cervone; University Relations: Staci Roberts and Pam Horstmann; Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences: Marvin Lofquist; NMFF Staff: Brian Walsh.