by Scott Harvey
Staff Writer
An annual report reviewing the progress of University Relations, concluded on March 21 at the semi-annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, has shown a recent and dynamic boost in alumni giving and fund raising.
The increase in alumni donations has steadily been achieved in what Bob Earhart, associate vice president of University Relations, views as a “staff effort” to raise alumni giving.
In the effort to raise alumni participation and the giving of funds, the Planned Giving officers, headed by Earhart and alumnus Don Flora, have campaigned to raised funds through an annual Phone-a-Thon, held in October, where fund raising assistants contacted alumni to ask for financial contributions and through negotiated “challenge gifts.”
“A challenge gift is an alumni contribution which sets the pace for other giving,” said Earhart.
This year’s challenge gift was allocated from long-time supporters Dick and Beth Landis and totaled more than $50,000. The gift was set to be matched during the Phone-a-Thon and was due to a good response from alumni.
Phone-a-Thon organizer and Director of Annual Giving Debra Calderon was pleased at the response of alumni giving during the campaign and believes that former La Verne students uniquely care and are genuinely loyal to the University.
“People have often given back to La Verne because of their loyalty to certain departments and the relationships with former professors. It’s unique,” said Calderon.
Calderon’s position is newly-appointed this year, although she has been a member of the University Relations staff for seven years. As director of annual giving, Calderon has already made a lasting impact on alumni and faculty.
“She has been committed to La Verne and it shows in her work,” said Earhart.
The Landis gift has also been joined by two grants which total $750, 000. It includes a $500,000 grant from David and Lucile Packard of the Packard Corporation and a $250,000 grant from the Ahmanson Foundation, which is currently being used to refurbish the University’s chemical laboratories.
Total funds ending on Jan. 30 were $2,920,163, exceeding the $2,648,784 raised in the prior fiscal year.
“I believe that the University of La Verne is more highly respected than ever before and people want to give to that,” said Earhart.
In the five year campaign to raise funds for what the University Relations staff calls the “pipeline” or long term goals for the future, the Planned Giving staff has already raised $1,540,753 since 1997 and has surpassed the $10 million goal for future use.
“The University has shared a recent 12-year experience of extreme growth. No longer is La Verne an unknown school among Southern California giants. Now we have an image to build on and people give back to that,” said Earhart.
Through other gifts, exclusively that of Walter and Bessie Myers totaling $102,000 to the endowment fund, the University has seen a rate of giving jump 32 percent ahead of last year’s rate and continues to increase.
According to former student and Director of Alumni Relations Lura Poggi, “a lot of people are interested in the recent high quality of La Verne’s services and we try to keep that top rate quality a priority.”
The Planned Giving staff has a unique perspective on the University considering that most members including Flora, Calderon and Poggi graduated from La Verne and continue to support and gain support through their involvements. The giving and activity is understandable when considering the continued active alumni involvement.
“I’m fortunate because the majority of people leave La Verne with good relationships and have welcomed me with open arms,” said Poggi.
“I think we are seeing results in the outstanding staff we have hired, who are encouraging people to give more than ever,” said Earhart.
He also believes the boost in giving is a part of the “whole University’s push to build a better and stronger image.”
The current five-year fund-raising campaign for La Verne will conclude June 30, 2001, and the University Relations staff is optimistic about meeting and possibly surpassing the $21 million goal they set for themselves in February.
“I am very optimistic that we will meet and surpass the goal of $21 million,” said Earhart.
In her written report to the Board of Trustees, Dr. Jean Bjerke, vice president of University Relations, said meeting the goal would represent a doubling of the overall fund raising for La Verne compared to the previous five-year period.
The report also said the campaign, incorporates significant goals for increasing the endowment, raising funds for capital and special projects, and finding scholarships through the annual funds.
