U of M aims for gifts from 12% of alumni by 2012
By: Erica Horton
Issue date: 12/8/09 Section: News
The University of Memphis plans to increase alumni donations to 12 percent by 2012, according to an e-mail from The University's Annual Giving Program.
This year, 6-7 percent of U of M alumni gave to their alma mater, while 3-4 percent gave last year, said Provost Ralph Faudree.
Faudree said The U of M arrived at its goal of 12 percent after looking at the average amount of donations to some other schools. According to the Annual Giving Program's website, alumni donations are one of the best ways to measure alumni's satisfaction with their school.
Besides giving The University extra funds, the donations could increase The U of M's national college ranking, Faudree said. The rankings are configured by a number of factors, including the level of alumni giving.
Brittney Williams, freshman language major, said she plans to donate to The U of M when she becomes an alumna because she wants to give something back to the place that has helped her.
"It's given me a jump start to my life," she said.
If all goes according to plan, The U of M will meet its goal by its 100th birthday, Sept, 10, 2012, according to University officials.
Willie Wheeler, sophomore computer science major, said his experience with The University has been "humbling" because he was not ready to start college, and he had to learn dedication and preparation.
He said that being part of the centennial class is "really cool" because he gets to leave his mark on the school.
"We're one of the milestones of The University," he said.
However, Wheeler said he does not plan to donate to The U of M as an alumnus.
"Tuition keeps going up," he said. "I've given enough."
Sophomore business major Samuel Jackson, also a member of the centennial class, said that although his university experience has not been great, he still wants to be a future donor because of the professors.
"The professors are cool people, and I got to know a lot of them personally," Jackson said.
This year, 6-7 percent of U of M alumni gave to their alma mater, while 3-4 percent gave last year, said Provost Ralph Faudree.
Faudree said The U of M arrived at its goal of 12 percent after looking at the average amount of donations to some other schools. According to the Annual Giving Program's website, alumni donations are one of the best ways to measure alumni's satisfaction with their school.
Besides giving The University extra funds, the donations could increase The U of M's national college ranking, Faudree said. The rankings are configured by a number of factors, including the level of alumni giving.
Brittney Williams, freshman language major, said she plans to donate to The U of M when she becomes an alumna because she wants to give something back to the place that has helped her.
"It's given me a jump start to my life," she said.
If all goes according to plan, The U of M will meet its goal by its 100th birthday, Sept, 10, 2012, according to University officials.
Willie Wheeler, sophomore computer science major, said his experience with The University has been "humbling" because he was not ready to start college, and he had to learn dedication and preparation.
He said that being part of the centennial class is "really cool" because he gets to leave his mark on the school.
"We're one of the milestones of The University," he said.
However, Wheeler said he does not plan to donate to The U of M as an alumnus.
"Tuition keeps going up," he said. "I've given enough."
Sophomore business major Samuel Jackson, also a member of the centennial class, said that although his university experience has not been great, he still wants to be a future donor because of the professors.
"The professors are cool people, and I got to know a lot of them personally," Jackson said.