Students First Fund focus of faculty-staff campaign

Each year, some UB students facing unforeseen circumstances are helped through the Students First Fund. UB employees have an opportunity to increase the fund’s impact by participating in the 2015 Faculty and Staff Campaign for Our University, which launched March 2.

The campaign, which runs through April 10, asks faculty and staff to make gifts to the university. This year, the effort is focused on the Students First Fund; however, employees may make a gift to any area that is important to them.

Serious illness, a death in the family, job loss or accidents are all examples of hardships that can jeopardize students’ education. The Students First Fund provides the financial assistance students facing situations such as these need to be able to regain their footing and continue their studies.

“This fund is one vital way we can support our students facing serious setbacks, whether from a personal crisis or a family emergency,” says President Satish K. Tripathi. “We know our students face incredible challenges in these situations, and our hope is that we can ease a bit of this stress by providing support to help them continue their studies.”

A volunteer committee of faculty and staff donors is helping drive the campaign, demonstrating that giving to UB is widespread among their peers.

“In my position, I am able to see the direct impact of my gift every day in the faces of the students who walk the halls,” Donna Tyrpak, director of marketing, communications and alumni engagement for the School of Nursing, says in explaining why she gives to the campaign. “We have so many wonderful, bright and talented students who may not have been able to take advantage of the opportunity of a great UB education without donations.”

The campaign goal is for 300 new faculty-staff donors to participate. New donors also have the opportunity to double their gift through a dollar-for-dollar match made possible through an anonymous group of donors. All gifts up to $100,000 made by new donors between March 2 and June 30, 2015, will be matched, increasing the impact exponentially.

“The campaign is open to all faculty and staff, not just new donors” notes Dawn Baumgarten, director of annual giving. “And, those who may already have given this year are also welcome to participate.”

To learn more about the campaign, make a donation and follow the progress, visit the campaign website.