Vanderbilt University Register: Annual Faculty-Staff Campaign under way

Photo by Neil Brake

Malcom Getz, associate professor of economics, is the chair of the 2002 Faculty-Staff Campaign. Gigi Shafer (foreground) is the director of internal campaigns.

by Jessica Howard

The 2002 Faculty-Staff Campaign, "Investing in the Future of Vanderbilt," kicked off April 2. Approximately 100 volunteers within the University serve as campaign coordinators in their respective departments. Malcom Getz, associate professor of economics, is the chair of this year's campaign.

"The annual Faculty-Staff Campaign gives each of us an opportunity to cast votes for something extraordinary," said Getz. "Contributions we make to the special elements of Vanderbilt make a tangible difference in the quality of the whole."

Last year, a record-breaking $1,374,923.19 was contributed to the University campaign -- including two major non-recurring gifts -- and $81,181 in pledges. Approximately 1,400 donors participated. Donations can be made to any University gift fund which includes the University's 10 schools, Medical Center programs, libraries, scholarships, athletics and faculty and staff support.

"This campaign offers staff and faculty -- and administrators like myself -- an opportunity to offer financial support to Vanderbilt's mission," said Chancellor Gordon Gee at the kick-off luncheon.

"When people donate to this campaign, it is not as a thank you for a steady job and regular paycheck. Instead, it is because a financial contribution is a way of saying, 'Regardless of our employment at the University, we know that Vanderbilt does good work for students, for patients, for sports enthusiasts, for movie and music buffs, for Nashville.' Because of that knowledge, that belief in Vanderbilt University, we offer our support and encouragement to continue that good work."

Gifts may be made through payroll deduction or by cash, check or credit card. Donors may also request to have their gifts billed at a later time. For more information, contact the Faculty-Staff Campaign Office at 343-8759.

Employees of the Medical Center may designate gifts to any fund program in the "Partners in Health" campaign, which began April 1 and will run until June 30. Co-chairs of the Medical Center's campaign are Larry Marnett, Mary Geddes Stahlman Professor of Cancer Research, professor of biochemistry and chemistry and Carol Eck, administrative director of the Cancer Patient Care Center. For more information on the "Partners in Health" campaign, call Todd Jackson at 936-2991.