The University of the Virgin Islands' 2010
Alumni Phonathon has been scheduled for June 1 through 4. Each
evening of the Phonathon, UVI administrators, staff, alumni and
student volunteers will gather - from 5:30 to 9 p.m. - in the
Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas campus to
place calls to many of the more than 7,000 UVI alumni in the
territory and abroad. They will be updating alumni contact
information and asking them to pledge their financial support to
their alma mater.
Alumni gifts make it possible to improve campus life and enhance
the overall experience for students. One of the Alumni Phonathon's
goals is to increase funding for scholarships to assist
academically gifted students as well as students who have financial
hardships. "More than $150,000 in academic scholarships were given
to deserving students in our 2008-2009 campaign year," said Linda
I. Smith, UVI's Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs.
Smith said the University's alumni giving goal this year is to
raise $25,000, while increasing the rate at which alumni give to 7
percent. The University's current alumni giving rate is 5.1
percent.
"UVI alumni are key supporters of the University," Smith said.
"This year, we are again focusing on getting alumni to partner with
our community to help students achieve their academic dreams." The
average Alumni Phonathon gift is $75, Smith added.
"As Specializing in Futures remains our credo, 100 percent of your
financial contributions are directed to student needs and are tax
deductible," Smith said.
Pledges can be restricted or unrestricted. Restricted gifts are
earmarked to be spent for specific programs or areas, such as
academic or athletic scholarships (individuals can give to their
area of interest), the Reichhold Center for the Arts, VI-EPSCoR
research, summer enrichment programs, academic divisions, or the
Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands. Unrestricted
gifts are used to support areas of greatest need within the
University.
The UVI Office of Institutional Advancement's Development Team,
headed by Interim Vice President Dr. Henry H. Smith, is responsible
for the receipt and acknowledgement of contributions to the
University.
To make a contribution to the University of the Virgin Islands, please contact Linda I. Smith at (340) 692-4023 or send email to lsmith@uvi.edu.