|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
For Release November 4, 2006 TSU Engineering Alumni Association
Contact: Pamela Franklin
You Did It!! Talk about a great homecoming! If you weren't there, you just missed it! If you were there, you can understand the joy that I feel! Although it rained on Friday, the sun came out on Saturday for a great weekend! Dedicated CoETCS alumni came out on Friday afternoon in the rain to conduct the business of the TSUEAA.We ratified the "Memo of Agreement" between the TSUEAA and the TSU Foundation. The Dr. Johnson was there one hour early because he was so "keyed" for the event. Friday was Inauguration Day for Dr. Johnson. He believed so much in our work to LAUNCH the endowment he made time for us on his "special day". Our new TSU Executive VP and Provost, Dr. Robert Hampton; our VP of University Relations and Develop, Mr. Shereitte Stokes; and VP of Research and Sponsored Programs, Dr. Marcus Shute, P.E.. After remarks from Dr. Johnson proclaiming this breakthrough day, we sat down to formally sign the legal documents making the "TSU College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science Alumni Endowment" a reality. Mr. Stoke and I signed the official documents with a ceremonial pen. Dr. Johnson signed a proclamation recognizing the outstanding efforts of the TSUEAA in establishing this CoETCS Alumni Endowment and presented me with the ceremonial pen. With 15 of the TSU CoETCS "Mighty 100" witnessing the event, this was the second most proudest moment I experienced at TSU, with the first being when I graduated. The third most proudest moment I experienced at TSU came 24 hours later Joseph Cleveland, Marvin Evans, and I presented our big ceremonial check at half-time during the Homecoming Game at LP Field. With the Aristocrats standing behind us, thirty of "The Mighty 100" stood on the field wearing their white "Mighty 100" hardhats. With approximately 18,000 TSU fans and alumni in the stands, we announced our $100,000 contribution to LAUNCH the TSU CoETCS Alumni Endowment. The Mighty 100 presented the banner to the crowd with the TSU logo, TSU Tiger, CoETCS Alumni Association name and our theme: "Building the Endowment, Securing the Future". The TSUNAA celebrated our efforts by toasting us at the TSUNAA 'Old School - New School' Victory Dance at the Opryland Hotel on Saturday night. At 12 midnight, Joe Cleveland, Harry Taylor, Marvin Evans, Dr. Johnson and I lifted our glasses to toast the TSUEAA in their outstanding efforts to launch our endowment. Dr. Johnson and Joe Cleveland challenged the other alumni to follow in our footsteps. We did not get a full contingent of Mighty 100 to give to get us to $100,000, but 53 did give $1,000 each and we thank you. There is one noteworthy Mighty 100 that went above and beyond the call of duty. Mr. Joe Cleveland (CIO, Lockheed-Martin) and his wife Evelyn (TSU Alum and Tigerbelle) gave the first $40,000 "Gift for Life Engineering Endowment". They gave $10,000 to this year's campaign, which Lockheed Martin matched with $10,000 to total $20,000 for 2006. They have pledged to complete their gift in February 2007. The Lucent Computer Science (CS) Scholarship Fund voted to merge their scholarship fund to the TSU CoETCS Alumni Endowment which brought in $11,696 in principle, plus $1,074 in interest accrued which we will award to our first scholarship recipient in 2007. We thank the 17 contributors to the Lucent CS Scholarship fund for their major contribution, and they will always be considered our CoETCS Alumni Endowment "Trailblazers". In 1995, 24 charter members of the TSUEAA contributed $3,500 funds which was held in the TSUEAA's operational account to start an endowment. Those funds were transferred to the TSU CoETCS Alumni Endowment. We thank those 24 charter members who had the foresight to see into the future to 2006. There were 20 CoETCS alumni who, although they could not give at the Mighty 100 level at this time, contributed to the endowment. In all, 114 alumni contributed gave to launch the CoETCS Alumni. We had one TSU football alumni member who was not a CoETCS graduate to give $100. Others are ready to support us. Our theme is "Building the Endowment, Securing the Future....for the TSU College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science". Today we launch our new campaign for the 2006-2007 year. Our goal fundraising goal for 2006-2007, as approved the TSUEAA, is $2.2M. Below are the giving categories which you may participate.
We need 47 more to become Mighty 100s in 2006-2007. If you cannot decide which level to participate, start at 1% of your gross income. If you make $75K a year, consider giving $750, and becoming one of "The Incredible 750". If you make $50K a year, consider giving $500, and becoming one of "The Fighting 500". It is that simple. Anyone can give (i.e. alumni, attended TSU or the CoETCS, faculty, staff, supporter, company, organization, family or friends). Anyone can give at any of the giving levels or more. Please leverage your corporate matching benefits, if you have it to 'double' or 'triple' your contribution to our endowment. If you are expecting a major financial windfall in 2006-2007 (i.e. lottery, real estate sale, will, insurance beneficiary, legal verdict, etc.), please make a major contribution at the "CoECTS Alumni Endowment Gift for Life" level. Mr. Joe Cleveland has agreed to chair our "Corporate Endowment Gift Campaign" and we are soliciting well-connected alumni to work with him and the university to target a number of corporations to raise $1,000,000 for our endowment. This is the only alumni endowment established to support the TSU College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science. True Blue and Proud to be One of You; Charles, EE' 84 "Building the Endowment, Securing the Future....for the TSU College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science"
|
