BGSU ‘family’ supports its own through Campus Campaign

There are many reasons to donate to the Campus “Family” Campaign, which supports scholarships and BGSU initiatives. Faculty, staff and retirees this year expressed their reasons through their generous contributions, raising over $950,000.

That amount surpassed last year’s total by almost $200,000, said Jenny Wensink, director of annual giving, and brings the total amount raised since the Family Campaign’s inception to more than $12 million.

“We are continually amazed by the support our faculty and staff show for our students,” Wensink said. “Campus Campaign contributions are all used toward the fund of the donor’s choice, and impact the lives of our students every day.”

A number of campus offices and departments had a 100 percent participation rate. These included: Accounting and MIS, Capital Planning, Career Center and Cooperative Education, Conference and Event Services, Counseling Center, Design and Construction, Disability Services for Students, Finance and Administration, Military Science and Leadership (Army ROTC), Multicultural Affairs, President’s Office, Service-Learning, Student Affairs, Student Employment Services, Student Financial Aid/Scholarships and Sponsored Awards, TRiO Programs, Undergraduate Advising and Academic Services, University Advancement, WBGU-TV and the Women’s Center.

As always, BGSU retirees were especially generous this year. Having played an important role in students’ education, they continue their engagement through financial support.

The 2015 campaign theme was “I give because . . .” Donors could display their reason on a paper emblem, and many were also posted in an online gallery. Some expressed support for students and giving them a chance to succeed, others said they gave out of gratitude for the help they had received as students themselves, some to sustain a program or activity close to their heart, and still others for the potential of education to change the world.

“Whatever their reason, each person who gave was moved to do so by generosity and a commitment to the greater good,” Winsenk said. “It is a testament to the character of our BGSU community.”

Gifts from the University family are also a powerful endorsement that helps make the case with outside donors and alumni, demonstrating the commitment of those closest to the institution. That is why every gift, no matter the size, helps, she added.