April 17, 2008
To: UT System-Wide Faculty and Staff
From: President John Petersen
On this historic day when we officially launch the Campaign for Tennessee, a $1 billion fundraising campaign, I want to recognize and thank the thousands of UT family members who have committed their support.
A record 11,000 University of Tennessee faculty, staff and retirees statewide are responsible for more than $49 million in contributions to the campaign. This is both more employees than have ever given to such an effort, and a greater amount than has ever been contributed by UT family members.
I also thank former UT President Joe Johnson for his leadership of the family campaign and echo his praise for your exceptional generosity and dedication to the university.
“The family – the faculty, staff and retirees of the University of Tennessee - has again demonstrated its commitment to the academic excellence of the University of Tennessee by their generous and enthusiastic response to the family campaign,” Johnson said. “While the level of support is remarkable, it’s much in keeping with what they’ve done for years to make the University of Tennessee a better place.”
The Campaign for Tennessee is the most ambitious fundraising effort in the university’s 214-year history and places UT among the ranks of the nation’s largest public and private institutions that have sought this level of private support.
Today, at not quite the midpoint of the campaign timeline, I am pleased to announce that fundraising commitments of $700 million already have been achieved. This represents incredible momentum, as well as recognition of the value of investment in UT.
Thank you for all you do for the University of Tennessee.
More information about the Campaign for Tennessee is at http://development.tennessee.edu/campaign/.
– John Petersen
