For Mary Ann Johnson, contributing to the Faculty and Staff Campaign has been a 17-year tradition.
“Our students are the most inspiring part of UGA,” she said. “Every faculty and staff member at UGA plays a part in helping these students get through college and in preparing them as leaders for the next generation.”
As the Bill and June Flatt Professor in Foods and Nutrition in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Johnson works to prepare students to serve in communities throughout Georgia and the nation. She sees donating to the campaign, as a way to help sustain the university’s prominence.
“Think about what means the most to you and what has inspired you the most-then let your support follow your heart,” she said.
One important area of need is support through the Georgia Fund. Private gifts through the Georgia Fund sustain and grow areas crucial to the university’s success while also strengthening alumni engagement through the UGA Alumni Association. Gifts to the fund provide flexibility for the university to meet its needs
by directing resources toward projects and initiatives that need help.
“As funding sources fluctuate, annual giving is important now more than ever,” said David Jones, senior director of development. “It supports programs and operations in every school, college and unit at the University of Georgia. Whether faculty and staff are making a first gift to the university or continuing a tradition of support, each of these gifts really does make a difference.”
The 2011 Faculty and Staff Campaign will conclude at the end of the fiscal year on June 30. As the campaign draws to a close, more than 1,200 faculty, staff and retirees have made a gift during this year’s campaign.