Over one hundred passionate, motivated faculty and staff have raised $127,872 for the University of Toronto Scarborough through the Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign. The campaign ran from March 9 to April 30, 2021 with a goal of reaching one hundred donors — and exceeded its goal by a large margin.
By the campaign’s end, 130 staff and faculty had given to the campaign. Of that total, 75 were “first time” donors to the campus.
The large number of donors illustrate faculty and staffs’ “connection and dedication to the mission, values and goals of higher education as a whole, and to the vision of UTSC specifically,” said UTSC principal and vice-president Wisdom Tettey in a statement, adding that he was “greatly touched” by the generosity shown by the UTSC community that will further the school’s mission and enhance students’ experiences.
While donors were encouraged to give to any fund at the University that mattered to them, two were highlighted as funds eligible to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the University: The Student Success Fund for Pathway Programs and the UTSC Faculty and Staff Award, which raised a combined total of $22,674.
Thanks to the community’s generosity, unique UTSC Pathways programming such as Transitional Year Program and the Imani Academic Mentorship, which aims to increase participation in post-secondary education by Black youth, will enhance their reach and impact.
"The impact of giving is abundant."
“The impact of giving is abundant,” says Nadia Rosemond, assistant dean, Co-Curricular Engagement and Student Leadership at UTSC. “Donations will help us fulfill our program needs: we can make sustainable choices on delicious snacks for mentees, cover admission for field trips, or hire additional student staff as we broaden the [Imani] program,” she added.
And, with funds matched by the University totalling $11,032, the value of the UTSC Faculty and Staff award endowment rises to $58,448, enabling even greater support to the student award recipients each year.
“The financial aid provided by student awards makes a real difference,” says Lisa Lamanna, manager of Awards and Scholarships at UTSC. “The UTSC Faculty and Staff Award was originally created by faculty and staff who care about helping students succeed and I’m so moved by the number of our colleagues who have come through once again. Thanks to their generosity, students will have even greater opportunity to focus on their studies,” she adds.
The campaign also featured a special new fund created by the Department of Management in honour and recognition of the years of service and impact of Professor Sandford Borins, to mark his retirement. The Sandford Borins Digital Communications Fund will enhance students’ digital communications and storytelling skills through a series of workshops. Donors to this fund exceeded the $25,000 goal to create an endowed fund.
With its target of 100 donors achieved, the campaign now moves on to its challenge: when it is safe to do so, UTSC’s chief administration officer Andrew Arifuzzaman will make good on his promise to jump off the tallest diving board at the Pan Am Centre.
The Development and Alumni Relations Office wishes to thank each of the campaign’s donors for their generosity.
Still want to give? Donate here.
Questions about the campaign or your donations can be directed to Samantha Barr, Senior Development Officer, Leadership and Planned Giving at: samantha.barr@utoronto.ca | 647-601-4643
Photo: UTSC Prof. Thembela Kepe teaches students during a field trip, 2011 (Ken Jones)
WATCH A SHORT VIDEO MESSAGE BY ANDREW REGARDING HIS UPCOMING JUMP.