Michigan Tech has won a 2000 Circle of Excellence in Educational Fundraising Award, given annually by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The University was chosen by CASE from among 3,500 educational institutions participating in the Council for Aid to Education's annual Voluntary Support for Education survey.
"This national recognition confirms that the leadership of John Sellars, Kim Maxwell Way, and Pete Radecki has produced a very effective organization for fundraising at Michigan Tech," President Curt Tompkins said. "We are fortunate to have a very good team of fundraisers and support staff at the Michigan Tech Fund, in Corporate Services, and in University Relations."
"This really is a campus award," said Sellars, senior vice president for advancement and marketing. "We hope the University community as a whole feels pride in this recognition."
CASE named Michigan Tech to receive the Circle of Excellence based on improvements in fundraising. "We've gone from $6 million in 1997 to $19.7 million in 1998 and then $48 million in 1999," said Maxwell Way, executive director of the Michigan Tech Fund and development. "CASE evaluates the data; it's a very objective process. And what it showed is huge improvements in fundraising."
Sellars also noted the contributions of Peter Radecki, executive director of corporate relations. "What Pete has done is remarkable," Sellars said, noting that Corporate Services has been instrumental in attracting $12 million in in-kind gifts, as well as cash gifts, to MTU. "It's natural that everyone should credit the Tech Fund for the great job they've been doing, but in reality, Corporate Services and the fund have both been extremely successful. Both Pete and Kim have done tremendous work."
Maxwell Way cited three reasons for the Michigan Tech Fund's recent success. "The story we are telling about Michigan Tech is very compelling, particularly regarding the faculty and academic programs. When we talk to alumni, they consistently say the best education they received has been at Michigan Tech." In addition to the efforts of faculty and department chairs, she also cited the volunteers spearheading the Leaders for Innovation Capital Campaign, including its chair, Dick Robbins, vice chair Gary Anderson, and Michigan Tech Fund board chair Tom Irwin.
"And under John Sellar's leadership, we have developed a strong program, with advancement officers on the road," Maxwell Way said. "We have a great team, including Corporate Services, Alumni Relations, and University Relations. With Curt's leadership, we also have a vision of where we want to be. It's a total team effort."
Corporate Services has been collaborating more with faculty and staff across campus, Radecki said, which has played an important role in increasing gifts. "Strategic partnerships with universities have been a key element in the expansion of corporate gift-giving, and these partnerships at MTU include faculty and staff working with the Corporate Services team," he said.
The Circle of Excellence Award will be presented during the July meeting of the CASE International Assembly in Toronto.