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| The Board of Directors
of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation
meets on campus during Homecoming. |
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An improving stock market and the success of several
new approaches to fundraising and alumni relations resulted
in a great year for the UND Alumni Association and Foundation,
second only to the massive outpouring of contributions
following the historic flood of 1997.
The Association, created in 1889 by the first
graduating class, maintains contact with former students.
The Foundation, also an affiliated but independent entity,
raises and provides stewardship over funds donated in
support of the University.
Among
the accomplishments in 2003-2004:
1. More than $7 million
in grants to UND. Included were funds for scholarships,
improvements to facilities, support for the Alice T.
Clark Mentoring
Program for new faculty, support for the Office of Instructional
Development,
and a variety of other priority projects such as professorships,
faculty awards, library resources, equipment, research
support,
and such academic needs as support for recruiting, conferences,
travel,
and others.
2. More than $11.1 million
raised. Altogether, 11,204 individuals contributed.
3. More than 2,300 first-time
gifts from alumni and friends, facilitated in large
part
by the Foundation’s adoption of a sophisticated
calling center. This center
avoids the problems associated with some telephone-based
fundraising
by using current students to visit with alumni and friends
about the
campus, updating address information, and making donations
if they so
choose.
4. A growth in total
assets from $123.7 million to $138.1 million.
5. New programming, such
as the “Super Sioux Gala and Auction” at
the Ralph
Engelstad Arena to support athletic scholarships. Attended
by a crowd
of more than 500, the event featured silent and live
auction items, a
dinner and dance, and the opportunity to meet UND’s
student athletes. More
than $150,000 was raised. Over the year, nearly 7,000
individuals attended
events sponsored by the Association.
6. A growing number of
volunteers — 568 in 2003-2004 — who donated
their time
to work with the 39 staff members of the Alumni Association
and Foundation.
And so what’s next?
“I am confident in the future, although
it is clear the pattern of dependence on private giving
to achieve the goals of the University is one that will
only increase,” said Tim O’Keefe, who as
chief executive officer of the Association and Foundation
joins UND’s senior administrators as a member
of the UND President’s Cabinet.
“Equally clear is that when the friends
of the Foundation understand the demands necessary to
achieve excellence, they respond,” O’Keefe
continued. “It’s a tradition established
by our forefathers long ago that is a responsibility
passed on and accepted by the generations of today.”
President Charles Kupchella said he agreed wholeheartedly
with that assessment, and predicted that the coming
years will bring even closer strategic collaboration
between the Association and Foundation and the University
(see FUNDING).
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