May 12, 2000

A stellar year for the Office of the Annual Fund

Spring is in the air ­ and so are the sounds of the Loyola community cheering about the increases the Office of the Annual Fund has experienced this fiscal year. Although it is only nine months into the current fiscal year, the annual fund staff reports that contributions and alumni participation are well on their way to surpassing all of last year. So before packing the picnic basket, get an early dose of sunshine by taking a look at the improvements they have experienced so far this year.

The annual fund is breaking its own records with lightning speed. In mid-April, just 8 1/2 months into the fiscal year, the office surpassed the total number of its contributors for the entire 1999 fiscal year, which was 4,859 contributors and, until now, had been the highest number of donors in the last four years. Only a couple of weeks later in late April, they topped 5,000 contributors, cementing this fiscal year as having the most donors of the past six years. Currently, figures are 37 percent ahead of last year at this time.

The effort to increase alumni participation also is making seismic leaps. Again, although only in the ninth month of the fiscal year, alumni participation currently stands at 3,158, already 98 percent of the total number of alumni supporters for all of last year. In spite of its early success, the annual fund staff is not content to slacken its effort, as it is expected to top last year's figure by the early part of May. The university is well on its way to increasing last year's 11.7 percent participation to nearly 14 percent this year. With these great strides, the ultimate goal of 20 percent alumni participation should be met very soon.

Finally, all of Loyola's colleges have cause to celebrate because the number of alumni donors from every college has skyrocketed, as well. The statistics are impressive, with the College of Arts and Sciences up 29 percent, the College of Business Administration up 39 percent, City College up 47 percent, and the School of Law up 54 percent. In addition, the College of Music has seen an astonishing 118 percent increase from last year!

"Our alumni have really come through for the university this year and the response has been overwhelming," says Terry Utterback, A'80, annual fund director. "The result will be more scholarships and financial aid for our students as well as technology upgrades around campus."

However, alumni support is not the only site of outstanding increases in donor support. Corporation and foundation participation is up 50 percent, donations from friends of Loyola is up 25 percent, and parent support is up 25 percent, as well.

"These increases would not be possible without a strong team effort. I want to thank my wonderful staff, Catherine Comiskey, A'94, annual fund assistant director, Pamby Levert, A'98, project coordinator, and Donna Arceneaux, C'03, administrative assistant, for all of their hard work," adds Utterback.

Faye Felterman, A'00 Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications