by Elizabeth Stone
In 2013, the University of West Georgia raised a record amount - $6.7 million – through the generous support of alumni, faculty, staff, private foundations, the business community and friends of the university. UWG receives this record-breaking amount as it looks toward a comprehensive campaign, the first in its history.
"As UWG looks to the future, philanthropic support will play a major role in our success,” says Dr. Kyle Marrero, president of UWG. “Friends, alumni, corporations and foundations will be the constituencies cultivated as we share our vision and the impact that UWG will have on future generations. Last year's record indicates momentum, but it is only the beginning of what can and will be achieved."
Corporate and private donors alike served to establish mutually beneficial partnerships in 2013. Tanner Health System partnered with UWG to create the Tanner Health System School of Nursing, propelling the university into the future and providing opportunities for both current students and practicing nurses. Southwire Company partnered with the Richards College of Business to create the Southwire Sustainable Business Honors Program, providing students with the opportunity to achieve both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in only four years while also participating in experiential learning and one-on-one mentorships with corporate executives.
“This upswing in giving can be attributed in part to a focus on collaborative mutually beneficial partnerships and a growing sense of pride and excitement about UWG,” adds Diane Homesley, executive director of Development for UWG. “Gifts to the UWG Foundation provide much-needed scholarships for our students, help us to recruit and retain quality faculty and staff, expand student research and travel opportunities, provide cutting edge technology and improve our campus life and facilities. We deeply appreciate this enthusiastic support that will transform lives and make UWG the best place to work, learn and succeed.”
Many more contributions are helping to shape the future of UWG students. The new Microsoft Certification Program, created through a generous gift, will allow students to take courses in preparation for certification, increasing their marketability to employers and providing a pool of future employees to regional businesses that need this expertise. The David A. Johnson Distinguished Scholar, contributed by UWG alum David Johnson, establishes an endowed faculty position to direct the Predictive Analytics/Econometrics program in the Richards College of Business. Additionally, 15 new scholarships have been established to provide financial support for students, and the 2013 Annual Fund “A Day” Campaign raised $340,800, marking a record 67 percent participation rate from UWG faculty and staff.
“We are so grateful to our faculty, staff, alumni and friends in the community who were especially generous to UWG in 2013, as giving to the university topped previous giving records by almost 40 percent,” concludes Dr. Bill Estes, vice president for University Advancement at UWG. “In the next year, UWG hopes to launch the university’s first comprehensive campaign in its 107-year history, and the wonderful support we received this year sets the stage for a landmark experience. Thank you to all who gave to UWG this year.”
