Peter M. Grant II was recognized by the Board of Visitors Advancement Committee as the new Third Century Campaign chair Friday. The Advancement Committee also heard presentations and reports on fundraising, GivingToHoosDay and the Nudge4 Solutions Lab run by the Curry School.
Grant, originally chosen for the position in April, will spearhead the Third Century Campaign, a fundraising effort to further the University’s success after its bicentennial.
“I've always looked for reasons to say yes when asked to serve the University, and this decision is really no different,” he said.
Mark Luellen, the vice president for advancement, presented an update report on fundraising efforts to the committee. According to him, the University ended the third quarter of the fiscal year with $256 million in commitments, which is a 27 percent increase from the amount of commitments at the end of the third quarter last year.
The impact of the reunions weekend has also led to the University raising almost $65 million from about 5,400 alumni gifts, according to Luellen.
“We had one of the best fundraising years ever for reunions,” he said.
Luellen also said Board member James V. Reyes made a scholarship for the Bicentennial Scholars Fund. According to Reyes, he was inspired to donate by the needs-blind admissions process.
“We let in whoever the best and brightest are, not the best and who can afford it,” Reyes said. “Having kids in here that need help, it’s what we’re all about and so I’m happy to do it and hope we do it more.”
Cindy Frederick, the associate vice president for engagement and University annual giving, also presented to the committee on GivingToHoosDay. According to Frederick, over $3.2 million was raised within over 7,400 donations.
“As social media has become more present in our daily lives, I must admit that I was a little skeptical that community could be created in the virtual realm,” Frederick said. “But after two very successful giving days, I am now a believer that you can build community online.”
According to Frederick, the success of the second GivingToHoosDay was due to the focus on the University’s China office, U.Va. Clubs, “friendly competition” between schools and social media.
“12 percent of donors gave for the first time as they were inspired by the activity on social media and encouragement of their friends to give,” she said. “The level of collaboration and coordination between advancement offices was at an all time high and the energy and enthusiasm really showed, I think, in our ultimate results.”
The committee also heard a presentation from Curry Asst. Prof. Ben Castleman, the director of the Nudge4 Solutions Lab. Castleman said his lab works to create a texting service reminding graduating high school students to complete the necessary steps for college matriculation.
Castleman said his program also serves veterans looking to enter college by providing them with personalized text messages from colleges in their area where they are likely to get in. The service also provides veterans with options of schools with strong student veteran groups on campus.
The lab is also working on other efforts, such as a tablet module for incarcerated youth and adults ahead of their return to society and using Instagram as a means to connect with students.
“These text messaging campaigns cost only a couple dollars per student to implement, but can improve the share that successfully enroll in college by over 10 percent,” he said.
Read More
Honor Committee brainstorms sanction diversification, considers future steps for AI
By Lexie Stadler | 22 hours agoHancock and Carson Breus, vice chair for sanctions and third-year Commerce student, said they are collaborating to explore fresh sanctioning avenues.
Gaston and Ramazani Houses — the University’s newest upperclassmen residences
By Zackary Holt and Vyshnavi Tatta | YesterdayDining options will include a Peet's Coffee, The Den by Denny's, a Bodega deli and space for an additional restaurant that will change on a rotating basis.
From the archives: April 15 – April 21
By Emma Todd and Grace Franklin | 2 days agoAttendees at the Beaux Arts Ball dressed for the occasion in costumes.
