Third Family Campaign Encourages Culture of Support Among Faculty, Staff

Dustin Fulton, EdD, assistant dean for Admissions in the College of Medicine, is a continuous supporter and an advocate for giving to the university.

"Think about the legacy you want to leave. Any stop that you have on your journey, whether personal or professional, what is the legacy you want to leave behind," Dr. Fulton said. "Philanthropy is something that offers an opportunity to have a lasting legacy, especially as we all embark upon this UT Health Science Center Family Campaign."

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center's third Family Campaign, September 1-30, cultivates philanthropy among the UT Health Science Center family - faculty and staff - to support the university, its mission to transform lives through collaborative and inclusive education, research and scholarship, clinical care, and public service, and its vision of Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities.

The goal for this year's campaign has been raised to 700 donors across all six colleges and many departments. Last year, the second Family Campaign raised funds from 626 donors, surpassing its original goal of 600 donors.

Faculty and staff can show support with a financial gift of any size and can be designated to any UT Health Science Center college, department, program, scholarship, or pre-established fund. Participation in the Family Campaign also includes donors who have donated beginning July 1. Donations can be made by credit card, payroll deduction, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. This year, residents and students are also encouraged to consider giving during the campaign.

"It's important that we start with ourselves, and as we work to further develop this culture of philanthropy, and we bring in employees, faculty, and students into this academic community, it's good for them to see what we're doing and how we are advocating for change at UT Health Science Center," he said. "But also, how we are able to give of ourselves - whether through our time, talent, or monetary ways - to make sure that change is actually implemented."

Dr. Fulton, an alumnus of UT Knoxville, was an ambassador for Big Orange Give for several years and shared resources with the UT Health Science Center advancement team when the annual Giving Day was being developed. In the first Giving Day, Dr. Fulton encouraged support for the university and the College of Medicine by committing to matching gifts up to $50.

Through the years, he has written emails to faculty and staff about giving. "It's not only the thought of feeling like it's important to give, but I also feel like it's a social responsibility," he said. "The dollar amount doesn't matter, but if we can encourage others to do it, the more the better."

Debbie Long, benefits and training associate in the Human Resources Office, is also an advocate for the Family Campaign. Long, the Human Resources Ex-Officio member of the Staff Senate, serves in the senate as an adviser and recently encouraged them to consider giving. As a result, the Staff Senate decided to pledge their support for 100% participation in this Family Campaign.

"I love my team, my department, and I really appreciate what the university is trying to do as far as educating our student body and doing what we can to not only make our state better but also to make health care in general better," she said.

Long has worked at UT Health Science Center since January 2018. She is an alumna of UT Martin, and recently joined a graduate certificate program with UT Knoxville. Long said she will communicate to others she encounters on campus to consider donating and provide information they may need of how to give.

"It is a great chance to participate as a family," she said. "If you're thinking about giving and you're feeling that family connection of not just a culture of kindness and respect but also the warmth and togetherness we try to have on our campus, this is a great way to join hands and show your face at the family table."

Also, in collaboration with the UT Health Science Center Advancement team, Dr. Fulton and Long will be co-authors of an email letter during the Family Campaign.

"Our community and alumni donors are very impressed by the mission investments of our employees and students," said Vice Chancellor for Advancement Brigitte Grant.

Grant also said the Family Campaign is a point of pride that sends an impactful message of the commitment of faculty, staff, and students.

"Every day our learners are dedicated to helping others and finding cures; gifts in the Family Campaign help make that possible," Grant said. "Together, we as employees and students, are so much stronger than any of us alone. Family Campaign elevates our collective commitment to the mission."

The campus is invited to attend the celebration of the Family Campaign September 17, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Student-Alumni Center in the OD Larry Dining Hall on the Memphis campus.

Donors who give $10 or more will receive a sip-and-stir mug, and donors who give $5 or more per month through payroll deduction will receive a badge reel.

A student event will be held on the Memphis campus later this month, in addition to upcoming events on the Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville campuses.

Additional information and giving links can be found at giving.uthsc.edu/familycampaign. For questions, contact Caitlin Clark, director of Annual Giving, at [email protected] or 901.448.9665.

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