Kim Schatzel launches a Presidential Challenge
TU’s 14th president will donate $1,000 of her own money -- up to $10,000 -- for every 50 faculty and staff members who participate.
By Ray Feldmann on September 23, 2016
Almost since the moment she arrived on campus eight months ago, President Kim Schatzel has promoted the importance of developing a culture of philanthropy among the entire Towson University community. It has become one of her eight presidential priorities.
Today, TU's 14th president is putting her money where her priority is, as she kicks off a new “Presidential Challenge” to encourage all faculty and staff to philanthropically support the university. For every 50 faculty and staff members who give to the campaign, Schatzel will donate $1,000 of her own money -- up to $10,000 -- to a TU fund that is important to her.
Schatzel is the first Towson University president to issue such a challenge and back it up with her own matching contributions, noted Brittany Shaff, TU’s director of the Annual Campaign.
Faculty and staff who participate in the challenge will be able to select where their gift goes from a list of approximately 650 TU Foundation funds. The Foundation’s funds support academic excellence, faculty development, campus life, athletics and more.
A letter will arrive via inter-office mail on Monday or Tuesday of the week of Sept. 25 that will provide more details about the Presidential Challenge and how faculty and staff can contribute.
Schatzel said she is proud of the great strides TU has made already toward establishing a culture of philanthropy that will benefit the university for decades to come.
“Last year we made history when more alumni than ever gave gifts in support of Towson University,” Schatzel said in a video that will help launch the challenge. “We’ve seen an 800 percent increase in student giving in just one year.”
But it’s vitally important, she said, to take that spirit of giving to the next level.
“The goal is to increase the participation of our faculty and staff in support of our annual fund,” Schatzel said. “So whether you give $5 or $500, the goal is to have more of our colleagues participate. Please join me in the challenge, and let’s make a positive impact for Towson University together.”
The Presidential Challenge will run through the entire 2016-17 academic year and end on June 30, 2017.