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Calling All Alumni
Click. Click. Click. Yes! The sounds a Telefund Call Associate hears almost daily,
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| President Walter Harrison joins an evening of Telefund to show his appreciation for a job well done. Seated: Kim Kulbacki and Chris Luscia. Standing: Danica Yerdon, Ann Reichard, Kelly Heaney, President Harrison, Meg McLaughlin, Erin Dennis, Michelle Levin, Jen Beck, and Jennifer Preston. In back: Erik Bowen and Russ Phaneuf, assistant director of annual support. |
consisting of noes and often times hang-ups, can be quite discouraging. Yet, making call after call every night becomes instantly rewarding when an alumnus/a, parent, or friend of the University says that one little word: yes.
Sometimes that simple word is all it takes to bring motivation and confidence to a team of Telefund callers. As a Telefund Call Associate for almost five semesters, I have learned that our success as a team depends not only on our ability to obtain a pledge but also on the attitude, thoughtfulness, and confidence we possess while working.
The University of Hartford's Telefund consists of supervisors and many student callers who put much of their time and effort into making the Annual Fund a success. Students from various majors, clubs, organizations, and age ranges throughout the University work together as a team Monday through Thursday evenings in order to help reach our Annual Fund goal.
For the first fiscal year of the new century, the Telefund portion of the $1.5-million Annual Fund goal has been set at $250,000. By the end of the Fall 1999 semester, Telefund had already raised 54 percent of that goal, thanks to alumni, parents, and friends of the University, leaving the team with plenty of confidence for the Spring 2000 semester.
Russ Phaneuf, assistant director of annual support since February 1999, has made many helpful changes within Telefund to improve working conditions and the efficiency of the workers. With his fun attitude, encouragement, and motivational activities, he has energized callers to do their best and enjoy their work environment.
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| Telefund Call Associate Kelly Heaney |
Senior Telefund Call Associate Erik Bowen |
Telefund Call Associate Chris Luscia |
Some of the top callers include Erik Bowen, Kelly Heaney, Chris Luscia, and Melissa Ortiz. Bowen, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, has set two significant records in Telefund history since his start in September 1996. The first is for the highest gift average at $136.81, and the second is for the largest solicited Telefund pledge to date at $7,500.
Heaney, also a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, has raised over $24,800 in pledges since October 1997 and is currently applying for jobs in the field of University Development and Alumni Relations. "I like doing Telefund. We have a good group of callers, and it's nice to know that we're helping give back to the school with the money we bring in."
"Best Overall Telefund Call Associate" for Fall 1999 was awarded to Chris Luscia, a junior occupational therapy major. Since he began in October 1997, Luscia has raised almost $24,000 for the Annual Fund. "When I first started, I didn't think I would ever get a pledge, but everyone improves as they go along. After that first one, there was no stopping me."
Melissa Ortiz, a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority and a Barney School of Business senior, has recently been appointed "Senior TCA" for Spring 2000, based on her consistent performance and excellent fund-raising skills.
As Telefund callers, we know that every dollar we raise helps to provide scholarship aid to students, faculty support, and funds for ongoing programs, technology, and physical facilities. Contributions to the Annual Fund have not only a direct financial impact on our future, but they also send a strong message to the outside community. Bond rating agencies, corporations and foundations considering the University's proposals, and college ranking organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, all look to alumni participation in the Annual Fund as an important measure of their loyalty and commitment to the University and their satisfaction with their experiences here as students. That is why we emphasize to the alumni, parents, and friends whom we call that every gift is important.
As Telefund callers, we work hard every day to convey a vital message -- that support of the Annual Fund makes a difference.
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| "I've been giving since the time I graduated because I know how important it is. Whether I get mail or a phone call, I feel it's very important to make the contribution. I know what I give will be used and used well."
Jeffrey Fryer, Barney School of Business, 1993 |
"I give to the Annual Fund for a variety of reasons. I think alumni can remember what it was like to be a 'starving student.' I want to make it easier for those students. The Annual Fund supports that too, and giving by phone is the easiest way to support the University."
Judith Huenneke, The Hartt School, 1980 |
"I believe it's payback time. I can attribute much of my personal development to what I learned at the University of Hartford. I think it's important to give back some of what the University has given me."
Richard Cardin, Arts and Sciences, 1962 |
| These generous donors understand that the gifts they make to the University of Hartford Annual Fund have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of University of Hartford students. Gifts to the Annual Fund provide an essential source of unrestricted funds that support students, teaching, and University operations. Because Annual Fund gifts are unrestricted, the University is able to direct these dollars to those areas in greatest need or to those areas showing greatest potential. That flexibility is of significant importance as the University of Hartford adapts to meet the challenges of educating students for personal and professional success.
Achieving our goal of $1.5 million by June 30, 2000, will mean not only that funds are available for such critical needs as financial aid and faculty and programmatic support, but also that our donors are sending a message of loyalty and commitment that has far-reaching impact.
Please consider making your gifts to the Annual Fund campaign today. Respond generously when one of our students calls or use the envelope provided in this issue of The Observer today. Each gift makes a difference in the lives of our students and in the future of the University.
Linda Cardillo Platzer, executive director of development
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Kimberly Kulbacki is a senior in the School of Communication and an Observer intern.
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