EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK TO UWF AMIDST BUDGET CUTS

Every year, thousands of alumni, friends and employees support University of West Florida students through annual giving to the UWF Annual Fund. One component of the annual fund plan is the Faculty and Staff Campaign. This year, employees kicked off the campaign amidst numerous challenges, including deep state budget cuts, a nation-wide recession and pending workforce reductions. Despite these circumstances, university employees maintained the same level of participation in giving as the prior year at 38 percent. 

“It speaks volumes that even during a time of uncertainty, more than one out of three employees supported UWF financially,” said Kenda Hembrough, UWF annual fund coordinator. “Congratulations are due to the UWF employees who served as campaign co-chairs this year, including Jack Azzaretto, Sikha Bagui, Alan Brian and Cathy Brown.”

UWF President Judy Bense has expressed more than once that the university is moving from being a state-supported university to a state-assisted university. As UWF makes that transition, private gifts are critical to filling funding gaps. Tuition covers less than 35 percent of the cost of an education at UWF and state funds do not make up the difference. Annual Fund gifts to scholarships, departments and programs help ensure that hard-working students get the best possible educational experience the university can offer.

“I give to UWF because I believe it’s the right thing to do,” said Laura Koppes, chairperson, Psychology. “I know my gifts make a difference for students and in my own department.”

Thanks to hundreds of UWF faculty and staff members, the impact of employee giving will be felt once again this year - creating great futures through higher education. In recognition of these and other volunteers and donors involved, a Faculty and Staff Campaign Honor Roll will be posted online at uwf.edu/development in the coming weeks. 

To join UWF employees in supporting students through annual giving or to learn more, visit the Annual Fund Web site.