Robert T. Sumichrast
Dean and Simon S. Selig, Jr. Chair for Economic Growth

Published: July 8, 2010 | Vol. 3, Issue 3

Between 2007 and 2009, U.S. households lost a knee-buckling $14 trillion in wealth they had accumulated over the course of their lives. Given those unprecedented levels of wealth destruction, it should come as no surprise that charitable giving also took a hit across the country, dropping 3.6 percent in 2009. Yet alumni of the Terry College bucked the national trend and proved yet again their willingness to help in good times and bad.

Because of the generosity of a great number of alumni and friends, donations to Terry broke all previous records. Including both cash gifts and new multi-year pledges, giving to Terry totaled $18 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Some of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, such as scholarship funds for deserving students, or research support for a faculty member, while other funds are available to be used where we need them most – and with the reductions in state funding the needs are great.

Another important way that alumni can support student education is through the gift of time. This year, we are launching an alumni-led mentoring program that we want to be a rewarding way to give back for both the mentor and the student with whom you are matched. The mentoring program's structure has been successfully tested through the first six months of this year, and the steering committee is looking to expand the effort this fall. I encourage you to read more about the Terry Mentoring Program.

And, as always, on behalf of the students and faculty of the Terry College, we thank all alumni for the confidence they've shown in our pursuit of greater national prominence.

Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean
Terry College of Business

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