This year saw 78 percent of Elon University employees make gifts to the institution in support of student scholarships, athletics programs and more.
Elon faculty and staff came together this year for a successful giving effort that generated more than $427,000, with more than three out of every four employees making an investment in the university.
The success this year included 1,110 faculty and staff donors with a participation rate of 78 percent, with their contributions supporting scholarships, the Elon Experiences, academic departments and schools, and athletics, among other priorities. Participation has risen steadily, with 66 percent of faculty and staff contributing five years ago.
A celebration of the effort in mid-May (pictured above) was followed by continued participation with new donors and new gifts through the end of the fiscal year on May 31, bumping up the participation rate and contribution total.
Staff giving co-chair Kelly McKinney, assistant controller for reporting and investments, said she views her work to support the giving efforts as an integral part of her work at Elon. “It is part of my legacy and it is part of the tapestry that is becoming my career,” McKinney said.
Patrick Bell, lecturer in management and faculty giving co-chair, said one of the most enjoyable parts of his role this year was going around campus to hand out the “1889 Society” pins that contributors received for participating as loyal donors of two or more consecutive years or for setting up a payroll deduction. “It’s really so special to see the impact you’re having by supporting our students,” Bell said.
Below are the faculty and staff departments that topped 90 percent giving participation among their employees as well as the giving captain, if the department had one. Those in bold reached 100 percent giving participation:
Staff Departments
Academic Advising – Becky Olive-Taylor
Accounting – Kelly McKinney
Administrative Services
Admissions – Audra Spears and Ginny Oberle
Automotive Services — Keith Dimont
Bursar – Susan Harris
Business, Finance, and Technology – Andrea Priede
Career Services, Corporate and Employer Relations – René Jackson
Center for Leadership and Moseley Center – Melody Harter
Dean of Students – Samantha Murray
Financial Planning – Nancy Ward
Graduate Admissions – Jennifer Medlin
Human Resources – Jamie Canada
NC Campus Compact – Rene Summers
New Student Transitions and Student Involvement – Felicia Massey and Matt Olmsted
Carpentry, Key Shop, Paint Shop, and Moving and Set-up – Laddie Griffin and C.C. Cowan
Electrical, Plumbing, and HVCAR – Mark Terrell
Physical Plant Administration – Robert Buchholz
Planning, Design & Construction Management – Holly Hodge
President’s Office – Robin Plummer
Purchasing – Linda Wegwart
Registrar – Melissa Holmes
Residence Life – Amy Vaughn
School of Health Sciences Administration – Becky Neiduski
Service Learning, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and LGBTQIA – Nicole Bergen
Student Conduct – Chris Jamison and Anita Bryant
Sustainability – Kelly McKinney
Truitt Center for Religious Life – Jan Register
University Advancement – Tricia Teter and Scott Leighty
Faculty Departments
Accounting — Susan Anderson
Chemistry – Karl Sienerth
Economics — Steve Bednar
Education – Marna Winter, Jeff Carpenter, and Jennifer Strange
Physician Assistant Studies – Becky Neiduski
Physical Therapy Studies – Mary Kay Hannah
Sociology and Anthropology – Alexis Franzese
Sport Management – Shaina Dabbs