First day campaign contributions exceed last year

Mike Searles

The campus campaign for A Day for Augusta State University campaign got underway August 12 at the annual fall convocation, and by day’s end, the total raised ($82,000) had exceeded last year’s first-day’s total by $7,100.

"Our campus volunteers are doing a great job,” says Ginger Chew, director of annual giving. “I’m extremely pleased to see not only the totals increase, but also the number of faculty and staff who donate,” she adds. “Faculty and staff participation sends a strong message to the community because it means that they believe in this university and are committed to it,” Ms. Chew says.

The campus gifts include six new members of the President’s Club: Robert Ellis, business administration; Bill English, Information Technology Services; Robert Jarman, business administration; Marsha Loda, languages, literature, and communications; Jeffrey Miller, business administration; and Tom Nakashima, fine arts.

“We started off with a bang, and we feel confident that our goal of $105,000 will be met,” says Michael Searles, professor of history and campus chair of A Day. The ultimate goal is 100 percent participation, and he says that several departments have already reached that giving mark. “Together we can achieve anything,” he says.

The A Day community drives kicks off September 18 with a luncheon for the President’s Club at the Augusta Country Club. Deke Copenhaver, a member of the ASU Foundation, is leading the community campaign. The goal of the A Day campaign is to raise $380,000.

The A Day annual fund drive culminates on October 10 with a celebration on the quadrangle, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Barbecue will be cooked on site by award-winning cooker James Britt, ’75. Entertainment will be provided by the Carl Purdy Bluegrass Band and others. Proceeds from the $12 barbecue tickets will benefit the faculty-alumni scholarship fund.

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