Today,FALL/WINTER 2004 1 - University of the Ozarks

Alumni philanthropy reaches new highContributions by Ozarks’ alumnicontinued to reach new heights duringthe 2003-2004 fiscal year as 20.6percent of alumni households providedphilanthropic support to their almamater.The tenth of a percent increase overthe previous year marked the fourthconsecutive year that alumni giving hasincreased at the university.“When the alumni of an institutionprovide strong philanthropic support tothat institution, it sends a tremendouslypositive signal to other prospectivedonors,” said Executive Vice PresidentSteve Edmisten. “Over the last fouryears, Ozarks’ alumni have provided aresounding vote of confidence inOzarks through their gifts to the AnnualScholarship Fund and for otherUniversity causes. This, in turn,motivated more non-alumni donors togive, further strengthening theUniversity. When alumni make thishappen through their gifts to Ozarks,not only does the quality of theUniversity improve dramatically, so toodoes the value of their degrees fromOzarks.”Annual Alumni Giving Percentages(1997-2004)25%20%15%10%5%0%11.6%10.2%9.25%1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004A total of 761 alumni households— which includes known householdsconsisting of at least one alumnus —gave gifts ranging from $5 to $20,000during the 2003-2004 year. Alumnidonors made up 65 percent of thosewho gave to Ozarks in 2003-2004.“The university’s largest group ofdonors is its alumni, and we are pleasedto see that this group is achieving moreand more,” said Director of AlumniRelations Reba Pridgin. “Each year wesee new donors from our alumni baseand these are people who have17.2% 17.5%20.5%20.6%developed a desire to show their pridein their school, to assist a newgeneration of Ozarks students, todevelop a new affiliation with Ozarksthrough giving, or to share a little oftheir accomplishments because Ozarksgave them the opportunity to succeed inlife. Alumni are encouraged to shareand to share consistently!”One new incentive for alumni thisyear is the Alumni Association GivingChallenge, in which the organizationwill match gifts up to $100 given byfirst-time alumni donors.Your gift to the Annual Scholarship Fund supports students like Lindsey, a seniorbiology major from Benton, Ark. Lindsey, whose career goal is to become apharmacist, epitomizes the type of students who thrive at a small, Christianaffiliatedliberal arts college like Ozarks. She is not only a dedicated student whohas been on the honor list every semester, but she also excels on the soccer fieldwith the Lady Eagles, sings with the University Chorus and serves as theworship leader for the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Your support of the AnnualScholarship Fund will help empower Ozarks students like Lindsey. For moreinformation on how you can help empower Ozarks students, please call479-979-1230 or mail your gift to:Office of Advancement, 415 N. College Ave., Clarksville, AR 72830.Today, FALL/WINTER 2004 5