West Virginia University Professor Jack Watson thinks of the University as his family. And families, he says, help each other out. Watson is a firm believer in giving back to the University through the WVU Foundation’s Campus Campaign because he says it makes a difference to those who mean the most to him – his students and fellow faculty members.

WVU faculty and staff have that same opportunity to invest in their University through Gold Blue and You, the Foundation’s annual private funding campaign for faculty and staff that runs now through the end of May.

“It’s easy and it does make a difference,” said Watson, who teaches and is interim assistant dean in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. “The Campus Campaign is something that means a lot to the people who work here and the students. It helps make WVU a better place to live, work and be a student.”

During the 2013 Campus Campaign, more than 1,600 faculty and staff donated. Their gifts totaled a record $2 million.

Contributors can designate their gift to any department or unit within the University. Each gift, in its entirety, goes directly to the fund designated by the donor without any money being deducted for operational costs.

Donations can be made through payroll deduction, credit card or check. Gifts can also be made online at www.goldblueandyou.com. All employees will be receiving materials and electronic communications about the campaign and further information on how to contribute.

“The giving by our faculty and staff is a strong indication that you believe in the mission of the University, and are invested in the work being done each day to educate our students and serve the local community, state and the world,” said Michael Mays, WVU mathematics professor. “Collectively, our contributions make it possible to enhance the experience for everyone associated with this great institution.”

Tom Witt, professor emeritus of economics, shares similar sentiments and has established a planned gift through the Campus Campaign to support the arts at WVU.

“Both my wife and I firmly believe that the arts are an important element in the development of the institution and its broader mission to the state and nation,” said Witt. “Giving to the University through a planned gift is one way your legacy and contributions can be remembered for generations to come.”

Though faculty and staff can support any specific program or the University in general, they are being asked to consider supporting two special funds that have made a huge impact on both students and the WVU community. The WVU Faculty-Staff Emergency Relief Fund was developed to help anyone in the University community who may need assistance. The WVU Student Food Pantry, or “The Rack” as it is more commonly called, is a food bank that allows WVU students who are experiencing financial difficulty a means to obtain food.

For more information on the Campus Campaign, visit www.goldblueandyou.com or call the WVU Foundation, 304.284.4000.

Established in 1954, the WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of West Virginia University.

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ab/03/17/2014

CONTACT: Bill Nevin, WVU Foundation
304-284-4056; wnevin@wvuf.org

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