June 23, 2010
To: UT System-wide Faculty and Staff
From: Interim President Jan Simek
Re: Campaign for Tennessee
I would like to share with you the wonderful news we will tell our Board of Trustees during today's Advancement and Public Affairs Committee meeting.
The University has surpassed the $1 billion mark for the Campaign for Tennessee 18 months ahead of schedule. The campaign officially ends in December 2011.
The $1 billion goal is the most ambitious in the history of the University of Tennessee, and we are very fortunate to have alumni and friends who believe in the work of our faculty and leadership as well as the importance of UT in their lives and in the future of our state.
I commend you for your enormous involvement in reaching this goal. About 11,000 current and retired faculty and staff have donated $70.5 million as part of the family campaign led by UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson.
It is important to remember that about 98 percent of all Campaign for Tennessee gifts are restricted for a specific scholarship, professorship, program, building projects or another objective of the donor's choosing. Although these gifts cannot be used to offset operational costs, they are critical.
The fundraising efforts will continue until the campaign's December 2011 completion and beyond as we continue to work to have all units reach their individual goals, as well as to find funding for new and unfunded priorities.
