‘A Day for Southern’ Campus Campaign Kickoff

August 20, 2014

Georgia Southern faculty and staff will soon have the opportunity to give back to the University through the annual ‘A Day for Southern’ on-campus campaign, which kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 21. This year’s on-campus efforts are being led by staff co-chair Christopher Pugh, assistant director of the Multicultural Student Center and faculty co-chair Chris Caplinger, director of First-Year Experience. Both are encouraging all faculty and staff to donate to the campaign that supports University programs not funded through state dollars like scholarships, faculty development, championship athletics and cultural programs. According to Director of Annual Giving Gloria Goosby, last year 40 departments had 100 percent participation during the on-campus campaign. “As members of the University community, we get be a part of one of the most formative chapters in a person's life – college,” said Goosby. “We get to be a part of someone else's story. We get to support students as they grow and mature into future scientists, teachers, community leaders, artists, nurses, entrepreneurs, or nearly every profession under the sun. What an opportunity!” There is no time like the present, and Goosby says the campaign is positioned perfectly at the beginning of the fall semester when campus comes alive with the smiles and energy of the student body. “A Day for Southern is another chance to push Georgia Southern forward and to assist in the academic, social and cultural development of our students,” she said. “A Day for Southern is OUR chance to help build a better Georgia Southern. Each and every gift matters. Faculty and staff are encouraged to give to funds and areas for which they are most passionate.” It is important for faculty and staff to participate in the campaign, Pugh said, because we all have a passion to help students and our community members succeed in whatever they want to do. “This fundraiser gives us the chance to make a difference,” Pugh added. “It helps us understand the financial power we possess, which can be used to create some much needed and welcomed opportunities to this great University and surrounding areas.” Caplinger agrees. "As faculty and staff, we are keenly aware of the limits of state resources. Designating our gift allows us to target departmental scholarships and other programs we value." Donations are visible across the Eagle Nation in the form of scholarships provided to students to achieve academic excellence, outreach centers such as the Wildlife Center, the Museum and the Garden of the Coastal Plain and state-of-the-art facilities and programs that attract and support research and scholarships. “We ask everyone to return their pledge packets no later than Friday, August 29, so we can give a good report to the Statesboro/Bulloch County community, our alumni base and our students about how invested the campus community is in Eagle Nation,” said Goosby. In addition, students also have the opportunity to give and are encouraged to donate online. Gifts can be designated by visiting GeorgiaSouthern.edu/a-day-for-southern/.