Campus Campaign: 'It all comes back to you'

Kathy Klein, a secretary in the Graduate College, is one of 3,400 UI employees who have made contributions to the Campus Campaign, part of the University’s capital campaign. A portion of her gift went to replace the Shambaugh House porch swing, which disappeared years ago. Klein used to work in the house, and her parents often visited her there and enjoyed the swing. When her father passed away, she thought purchasing a new swing would be a fitting way to honor her parents. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

Kathy Klein knows that a little bit can go a long way. And that’s how the Graduate College secretary views her contributions to the Campus Campaign, the faculty/staff portion of the University’s $850 million Good. Better. Best. Iowa capital campaign.

“I don’t make a huge salary,” Klein says, “and I certainly can’t afford to make large gifts. But through payroll withholding, I can support several areas that are important to me, and I know that even small gifts like mine add up to make a difference. When we all give, we all benefit. I guess you could say this is my way of keeping the educational life cycle going.”

Nearly 3,400 faculty and staff members have made gifts to the UI Foundation, boosting the overall campaign total to more than $602 million. Since the Campus Campaign began six months ago, employee participation has grown from 15 to 23 percent with gifts equaling more than $17 million.

Sam Becker, however, has high goals. The professor emeritus of communication studies is leading an 18-member campaign committee, with assistance from Della McGrath of the UI Foundation. He wants to see 100 percent participation in giving among faculty and staff over the course of the seven-year capital campaign (1999-2005).

“We’re not to 100 percent just yet,” Becker concedes. “But we’re making good progress, considering the fact that we need to reach an audience of almost 15,000 faculty and staff, including retirees.”

Becker continues to emphasize that the Campus Campaign is not about dollars.

“Today more than ever before, those of us who work at The University of Iowa need to send a message to the state and to alumni and friends all across the country that we believe in this university, in its mission, and in its essential value to all of society,” he says. “To convey that message, it’s the number of gifts we make, not the size of those gifts, that matters most.”

Since the October kickoff, Becker, McGrath, and other committee members have been conducting Campus Campaign information sessions with units across campus, in addition to meeting one-on-one with prospective contributors. In those meetings, Becker says, it’s obvious that the campaign theme, “It all comes back to you,” is ringing true for many participants.

Patrick Lloyd, associate professor of family dentistry and a Campus Campaign Steering Committee member, is another example of a giver who understands that campaign contributions can reach far and wide.

“Through my participation in this campuswide effort, I have enjoyed knowing that I am joining with hundreds of others—people I work with and respect—to celebrate the University,” he explains. “Our decision to participate will help improve the environment in which we work, create opportunities, and help make this a university that will attract talented students, staff, and faculty for decades to come.”

The Campus Campaign officially ends Dec. 31, although gifts from faculty and staff will continue to count toward overall campaign totals until Good. Better. Best. Iowa concludes at the end of 2005. Information sessions will be scheduled throughout the summer and fall, and a final, campuswide mailing is scheduled for later in the year.

For more information on the Campus Campaign, visit www.uifoundation.org/campaign/campus, or e-mail della-mcgrath@uiowa.edu or sam-becker@uiowa.edu.

by Susan Shullaw