Alumni Association Home > Past Issues > 2002 > January-February 2002	Print View

While I don't make New Year's resolutions, I do make New Year s wishes. And my wish for 2002 is that every member of the alumni association makes a gift to the University of Minnesota.

For many, this may be a first gift. And I know from personal experience that the first gift can be a sacrifice. I remember what a stretch it was for me when I made my first gift to the U. I gave $100 to the Goldstein Gallery in the College of Home Economics (now the College of Human Ecology) in 1979. That was a lot of money for me 23 years ago; I was in graduate school and had two young children. But I wrote that check while contemplating the marvelous collection of historical costumes, designer fashions, ethnic dress, rare textiles, and decorative arts that I love at the Goldstein. With that first gift that supported something close to my heart, I began a tradition of making an annual gift to the U.

Last year as I made my gift, I thought of how lucky I am to have a world-class education and a job I dearly love. I consider my gift a tribute to at least a half-dozen people at the U who made a difference in my life and helped me become the person I am today: professors Van Mueller, Robert Keller, Shirley Clark, Tim Mazzoni, Mary Corcoran, Bill Ammentorp, and George Shapiro. Every one of them prepared me for ventures yet to be charted.

Keller was determined to help me become a better writer. His pen bled red ink on my first drafts, but in the process he helped me sharpen my writing skills. Shapiro gave me a B on my first paper. Scrawled across the page was a note: "You are technically correct . . . but you haven t interjected any of your feelings, values, and emotions into this paper. . . . I only give A's to students who uncover their values and think critically." And when I was about to delay finishing my dissertation to accept a job offer, Mueller convinced me that if I received one job offer at that time I would receive seven when I completed my degree.

We are in the final stages of Campaign Minnesota, which concludes in June 2003. The goal of $1.3 billion is close at hand, but to go over the top we will need an incredible show of support from everyone who cares about the U. Leading this charge is the University of Minnesota Foundation and the Minnesota Medical Foundation, the fund-raising arms of the U. Our role at the alumni association is to carry the message that giving is important and giving makes a difference.

Only one out of every eight University graduates contributes to the U, and only a modest percentage of our dues-paying members are also annual donors. Imagine the impact if every single alumni association member participated in the campaign. Whether they were gifts of $10 or $10,000, the results of our combined generosity would be staggering.

Take a moment to consider what you have in your life and why. Perhaps you are in a career that you love because of the start the U gave you. Or you are a leader in your community or an organization because of the example set for you by a class or a professor. Or maybe your world and conscience widened because of classmates with different backgrounds and perspectives.

Whether you're making your first gift to the University of Minnesota, renewing an annual pledge, or considering increasing your support, remember the people at the U who helped you become the person you are today. Contact the University of Minnesota Foundation about making your gift. Private giving supports so much and goes so far, and your gift can be designated to the college or program of your choice.

I'd also like you, our alumni association members, to send us a few sentences explaining why you've decided to support Campaign Minnesota. I'm especially interested in hearing why first-time givers are contributing at this time. Then, in a future column, I'd like to share your experiences with others. Enclose your comments with your check (my colleagues at the University Foundation will forward them to me), or write to me at mcarlson@umn.edu.

One hundred percent participation from alumni association members is indeed a lofty wish. But I'm convinced it can happen, because time and again you've enthusiastically answered our calls to action. When we set a goal to reach 50,000 members by the end of 2000, you joined, renewed, and recruited fellow alumni. When we needed 5,000 books for the Heritage Gallery, you came through with hundreds more. When I asked for Gopher memorabilia for special displays, you sent historical treasures. And during last year's legislative session, you placed 15,000 phone calls to other alumni to drum up support for the University's budget request.

As you think about this new call to action, please consider the words of campaign chair Russell Bennett (B.S. '50, J.D. '52): "Campaign Minnesota will determine whether our children and grandchildren will have a great university to attend." So in these first weeks of the new year, reflect on the past in the context of the future, and take this opportunity to make great things happen at the U.