::Dr. Earle Traynham to resume teaching in 2003
::Compass Bank to donate $100,000 for endowed scholarship
::The 2003 Faculty/Staff Drive kicks off next month
::UNF is offering a residential aspect of the Freshman Interest Groups program

October 2002

Faculty/staff fund drive launches next month

Co-chairing the drive this year are (from left) Gabrielle Holcombe, president of USPS, Terry Bowen, president of the Faculty Association and David Wesse, president of A&P.

The University of North Florida’s Campaign motto, “Access to Excellence” vividly illustrates the nature of the work that faculty and staff do every day to make the university an outstanding place for UNF students. In addition, many faculty and staff choose to contribute financially to areas they feel are critical to the success of the university.

As the 2003 Faculty/Staff Drive kicks off next month, faculty and staff are encouraged to contribute to the areas of UNF that mean most to them.
This year’s drive is co-chaired by three people: Terry Bowen, representing faculty, and David Wesse and Gabrielle Holcombe, representing staff. Each of them believes in giving back to the university in both personal and professional ways.

“When all of us pull together, a great deal of good can be done. This is an opportunity to direct funds to areas that we feel strongly about," said Holcombe. "We need to do whatever we can to contribute to the well-being of our campus.”

“I’ve spent nine years at UNF,” said Bowen, “and have found it rewarding in all the areas I chose to pursue. There has always been support for me both in teaching and carrying out high-level research. All in all, UNF is a top-quality place to work. The least I can do is ensure that the university can do the same for future faculty and staff.”

The chairs also point out that this is a great time to invest in the university. “I feel optimistic about the future of UNF,” said Wesse. “This institution is poised to take off. We need to make an investment in its future and leave the strongest possible institution for our younger colleagues and for the students of the future.” Bowen agrees:”The new strategic plan will ensure the best use of the private support that is given to the university.” Through the drive, faculty and staff have the ability to direct their support to the areas that are most important to them — their own department or college, library, athletics, the nature trails, continuing education or any other program.

If faculty and staff have questions about their giving options, they can contact Lise Amundrud, director of annual giving, at 620-2115, or go to http://www.unf.edu/development/annualfund/index.html.
Most faculty and staff will receive a letter this week inviting them to contribute to the fund drive. People can contribute through a variety of methods, including payroll deduction and credit card. One hundred percent of every gift goes to the area to which the funds are designated. Last year, 18 percent of faculty and staff participated in the drive. The goal for this year is to exceed that level.