by Elizabeth Herrera '10

The buildings you see on campus are funded by donations from numerous sources, including UCF’s own faculty and staff. The UCF Faculty & Staff Campaign encourages employees to make a tax-deductible gift to the on-campus account of their choice—and make an impact from within.

Since it was piloted three years ago, the program has spread from the College of Engineering and Computer Science to 22 other areas on campus.It now runs each spring, starting with a kick-off breakfast where goals are announced. The 2010 campaign was very successful, raising more than $400,000 in gifts and pledges.

“There are more than 400 accounts in the UCF Foundation that someone can give to, and the focus of this is giving to an area of interest,” said Melissa Isler, assistant director of Annual Giving. “You can hone in on something like the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences and their diabetes research – something that’s really specific – or something that’s more of an umbrella gift.”

One example of the campaign’s success is the Performing Arts Center, to which many faculty and staff donated. The funds for the center are matched by the Alec P. Courtelis Challenge Grant Program, which was instituted by the state of Florida to help universities build highpriority instructional and research-related capital facilities.

Gifts designated to build facilities are matched dollar-for-dollar by the program following legislative approval.

Departmental scholarships are another area to which faculty and staff donated. Through the campaign, the history department added new funds to the Richmond I. Barge Scholarship Fund, which was established in the 1970s. A retired faculty member contacted Barge’s widow, Elizabeth, who was so moved by their generosity that she matched the funds donated by the faculty and staff. Since then, the fund has awarded $500 scholarships to five students.

Dr. John Sacher, associate chair of the department, emphasizes the value of scholarships and why it was important for the department to get involved. Sacher also believes community members will follow the example of faculty and staff.

“At UCF, there are far too many deserving students than we have money to provide for,” he said. “It is important to create a culture of giving here at UCF, because I do think that all faculty members have some aspect of the university that they feel is important.”

“We really focus on this as a peer-to-peer campaign,” said Isler. “We want packets to be personally delivered in each college.”

Gifts can be made through a $2 or more payroll deduction or in a lump sum, and more than one area can be designated to receive a gift.

“As an alum, it speaks volumes to me to see the immediate impact the gifts have on UCF, and to know that the students and faculty really benefit from this type of campaign,” said Watts. “It’s a great opportunity to help not just one area, but the whole campus.”