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Excellence fund established

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President Welty announced the creation of the new Fund for Academic Excellence at the staff and faculty Assembly meetings in August, and became the first donor with a pledge of $1,000. He also pledged to match every contribution of $250 or more to a total of $25,000.

The fund, modeled after the Bulldog Foundation, will be administered primarily by faculty and staff representatives in coordination with the administration.

The fund working group adopted this Mission Statement: "The Fund for Academic Excellence will raise funds to meet specific needs of the faculty and staff in harmony with the University's Plan for Excellence." The group also identified two priorities for the use of funds when they are raised: faculty and staff professional development and child care. Faculty and staff will be surveyed to identify a third priority.

"I deeply appreciate the staff and faculty's efforts to provide that 'margin of excellence' while also sending a message to the larger community that we care about quality at Fresno State," said Welty.

Warren Kessler (Philosophy) is interim chair of the fund's board or directors and represents CFA. Other members are Jo Ann Collins and Susan Mangini (Staff Assembly), Lee Leonard and Mary Kay Statham (Joint Labor Council), Bill Fasse and Mike Botwin (Academic Senate) and Ken Shipley (administration). Student and community representatives will be named.

Fund raising will begin in the spring with a drive focusing on faculty and staff. Community outreach will follow that drive.

"We have taken our first baby steps," said Kessler. "I don't know if we will ever match the level of the Bulldog Foundation, but I expect this fund to be a big child soon. With faculty and staff shaping the direction of fund raising and fund use, we hope to help the university achieve an additional margin in our drive for excellence ­ in ways that mean a lot to faculty and staff themselves."

In spring 1998, the Fresno Chapter of the California Faculty Association proposed the creation of a Fund for Academic Excellence This summer, after extensive planning and endorsement by faculty and staff organizations, representatives of the participating groups met to take the first steps to establish the fund.

The board has received guidance and support from Vice President for Advancement Peter Smits and Barry Humphrey and Katie Zenovich (University Development).

For further information contact Warren Kessler or your organization representatives on the board of directors.

Back to University Journal, 09/03/02 Issue