As the 2013 Campus Campaign kicks off, committee members are reminding employees that it’s always time for UALR and every gift, like every employee, is vitally important.

To underscore that point, Chancellor Joel E. Anderson and his wife, Ann, have donated $1,500 for to match new donor gifts, dollar for dollar.

Anderson said UALR’s faculty and staff play an important role in the success of the university’s annual fundraising efforts.

“The generosity of our employees represents more than just money donated. It demonstrates that UALR is an institution our employees are proud to support,” Anderson said.

Bob Denman, vice chancellor for the Office of Alumni and Development, said the ability to secure funding from outside sources is sometimes dependent on the willingness of employees to support the university’s mission.

“We have examples of donors who either made their decision to support UALR or increased their support based on the fact that our own faculty and staff were willing to support it themselves,” he said.

Employees have a remarkable history of supporting the university, according to Dr. Brad Patterson, chair of the Campus Campaign. Patterson said support has grown over the years to more than 50 percent participation.

During UALR’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, It’s Time for UALR, donations from employees represented more than $3 million of the record $103.6 million raised.

“The strong institutional commitment of UALR faculty and staff is evident by their answer to our call for their assistance. I am proud to have been a part of this campaign in the past, and I look forward to seeing it grow even more this year,” Patterson said.

Sarah Lindsey Harrison, manager of annual giving at UALR, explained that the focus of the Campus Campaign is not on the amount given but on the impact this giving can have on the university. Donations of any amount given during a calendar year are included in the 2013 campaign.

Every department is encouraged to achieve full participation by its employees, regardless of the dollar amount of individual donations.

The following departments or areas gave 100 percent during the 2012 campaign:

African American Male Initiative
Alumni Relations
Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Budget Office
Campus Life
Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering
Cooperative Education
Bowen School of Law, Dean’s Office
Office of Development
Donaghey Student Center
Facilities Management-Environmental Health Safety
Financial Services
Graduate Institute of Technology
Health Services
Information Technology Minor
International Student Services
Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education
Mail Services
Sequoyah Research Center
Study Abroad Program
Testing Services and Student Life Research
Vice Chancellor, Education and Student Services

To give to the Campus Campaign, go to ualr.edu/development or call contact Harrison at 501.683.7502 or slharrison1@ualr.edu.