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Thonis Challenge exceeded by $150,000
Thanks to the leadership of the 鶹ƵUniversity Trustee Mike Thonis’ inspirational challenge and the loyalty of Boston-area alumni and friends, closed out 2010 raising in excess of $1 million.
Kicked off on Sept. 1, the effort targeted SU alumni, parents and friends in the Boston region and yielded gifts supporting a multitude of SU programs, scholarships and research initiatives. As of Dec. 31, nearly 1,200 donors had demonstrated the importance of SU in their lives, many crediting both their personal and professional success to their SU experiences. Lawrence Merrill ’87, a donor to the Boston campaign, says, “I am very thankful for the wonderful education I received at SU, and for the common bond I share with others. My time on the Hill shaped who I am today and I am tremendously proud to be an SU alum.”
To encourage participation in the campaign, SU trustee and Boston-area alumnus Thonis ’72 pledged a generous $250,000 challenge gift. For all new cash gifts made by Boston-area alumni, parents and friends between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010—including initial payments on new pledges—Thonis gave an equal gift to the University’s Boston campaign in support of his passion. The incentive exceeded all expectations, bringing in $400,955 in eligible gifts from 893 donors.
Following are the final Boston Regional Campaign statistics:
Gifts and pledges to The Campaign for 鶹ƵUniversity
Boston-area donors to The Campaign for 鶹ƵUniversity
The Thonis Challenge
Number of new annual fund donors, Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2010
Non-alumni-parent gifts, pledges, and donors, Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2010
Young alumni (graduates of the last decade) gifts, pledges and donors, Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2010
The Boston regional campaign will be followed by campaigns in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York City and two other key cities.
“Boston was a great success for us and demonstrated the loyalty of our alumni and friends. Thanks to all our donors for their commitment to SU and for believing in the power of Scholarship in Action,” says Brian Sischo, SU’s vice president for development.
Echoing Sischo’s words is SU alum and current graduate student Kristen Paglia of Wayland, Mass. “I chose 鶹ƵUniversity for my undergraduate degree because I felt it had the most school spirit, the best academic and social opportunities and a great alumni base,” Paglia says. “Since graduating, I’ve been able to see the power of the alumni network. 鶹Ƶalums are always willing to lend a hand, whether it’s helping with a job search or welcoming new graduates to the workforce.”
SU’s efforts in Boston to engage alumni, parents and friends will continue. “Through local events, our partnership with the Boston Orange and sustained communications,” says Sischo, “we will ensure that the ties between 鶹Ƶand the Boston area grow ever stronger.”
Gifts to the Boston regional campaign will be counted in The Campaign for 鶹ƵUniversity’s total and support five key areas of the University:
To learn more about the Boston effort, visit .
We want to know how you experience 鶹ƵUniversity. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience by sending them directly to 鶹ƵUniversity News at…
We want to know how you experience 鶹ƵUniversity. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience by sending them directly to 鶹ƵUniversity News at…
We want to know how you experience 鶹ƵUniversity. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience by sending them directly to 鶹ƵUniversity News at…
We want to know how you experience 鶹ƵUniversity. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience by filling out a submission form or sending it directly…
We want to know how you experience 鶹ƵUniversity. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience by filling out a submission form or sending it…
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