The 2009 UT Dallas State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) again exceeded the previous year’s campaign gift totals, collecting $138,100 for charitable organizations throughout Texas.
Approximately 28 percent of UT Dallas’ faculty and staff contributed to this year’s campaign, helping to surpass the 2009 fundraising goal of $132,600. This year there were 54 leadership gifts, up from 35 just two years ago. UT Dallas employees could give via payroll deduction or a one-time gift.
“At UT Dallas, the spirit of giving is alive and well. Thank you to the faculty members and staff who made this year’s SECC campaign another success,” said David E. Daniel, president of The University of Texas at Dallas.
The 2009 SECC campaign highlights included the following:
- Facilities Management achieved 100 percent participation for the fourth year in a row.
- The Math Department tripled the number of contributors from 6 in 2008 to 18 in 2009.
- More than $27,000 was raised by the School of Management.
- The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences quadrupled its leadership gifts.
Dr. Doug Eckel, assistant dean in the School of Management, and Dr. Catherine Eckel, Ashbel Smith Professor in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, served as the 2009 campaign leadership chairs.
The SECC Core Committee was again chaired by Dr. Dena Jackson, assistant vice president of research development, with assistance from Human Resources Group Manager Charles Salomon and Communications Web Specialist Dennis Guten.
“Leadership gifts, which are donations of $1,000 or more, provide critical momentum for the campaign and a much-needed boost for the receiving organization,” said Jackson. “The Eckels were key to increasing the number of these gifts once again.”
Diane McNulty, associate dean for external affairs and corporate development in the School of Management, participated in this year’s campaign with a leadership gift.
“I have several areas that I try to make a small difference in with my leadership gift: children, animals and the heart. All have a special place with me,” said McNulty. “Given the economic downturn, it is even more important to give a gift. These non-profits need support whether the gift is large or small. No gift is too small.”
Two UT Dallas organizations, the Academic Bridge Program (ABP) and the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, were again beneficiaries of the campaign. 2009 gifts to the ABP and the Callier Center were approximately $31,453. During the 2008 campaign, $25,969 was given to the two programs from state agencies across Texas.
The ABP recruits students who rank well within their high school class, but who may have missed the chance to take a full college preparatory curriculum. During an intensive summer “bridge” session of math, science, writing and study skills, students are acclimated to UT Dallas’ rigorous academic environment. They also make new friends and adjust to college life while living on-campus and participating in social and service activities. The ABP provides support throughout participants’ college years.
The Callier Center, with locations in Dallas and on the UT Dallas campus in Richardson, is one of the nation’s pre-eminent educational, research and treatment centers focusing on communication and communication disorders. The center is part of the University’s School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
As the only statutorily authorized campaign for state agency and public higher education employees throughout Texas, the SECC has been collecting gifts for Texas charitable organizations for 15 years. Last year, the SECC raised a total of $9.58 million statewide.
Media Contacts: Karah Hosek, UT Dallas, 972-883-4329, karah.hosek@utdallas.edu
or Teala Miller, UT Dallas Office of Media Relations, (972) 883-2155, newscenter@utdallas.edu
UT Dallas faculty and staff members’ gifts to the State Employee Charitable Campaign