Faculty, staff donations to PSU top $3 million

For Dr. Kenneth Bateman, giving to Pittsburg State University has come as natural to him as paying taxes and celebrating birthdays.

Every year since the Alumni Relations director emeritus came to work for the university in 1965, he has written his check and made a donation to the institution that has played such an important role in his life.

“We have several family members with scholarships in their names,” he said. “It makes me especially touched when employees give back to the university. I can’t think of a more valuable investment than the scholarships we are providing for students.”

With the amount of donations since 1980 topping the $3 million mark for the first time this year, it seems many faculty and staff members at PSU feel the same. The 2007 “Power of ONE” Faculty-Staff Campaign wrapped up with a reception Wednesday afternoon. Holly Kent, director of annual giving, announced that this year’s total of $62,657.02 topped last year’s amount of $52, 826, and that since the university began recording faculty and staff donations 27 years ago, the university has brought in $3,028,499.

“We are really pleased and impressed with the donations made to the campaign, especially when we realized we were going to top the $3 million mark,” Kent said. “It is so important for the employees of Pitt State to support this institution. If donors outside the university see that faculty and staff members are giving back, it will inspire them to give, as well.”

This year’s total counts all donations made by faculty and staff since July 1, not including pledges and payroll deductions. So far, 256 employees have contributed, and Kent says she expects many more to do so before the fiscal year cutoff on June 30, 2008.

In addition to Bateman, co-chairs of this year’s campaign include Dr. Julie Allison in the Department of Psychology and Counseling, and Wanda Endicott, director of custodial and general services.

For more information on how you can donate to The Power of ONE, contact Kent at 620-235-6096.

---Pitt State---