September/October 2010
Around the Quads
College Fund Raises Record $15.1 Million
In Michele Moody-Adams’ first year as Dean of the College, alumni, parents, friends and Class of 2010 donors helped the Columbia College Fund exceed its Fiscal Year 2009–10 goal of $14 million by more than $1 million and set a record of $15.1 million, including a one-time gift of $1 million from the Estate of Alfred J. Keppelmann Jr. ’37. More than 11,000 donors contributed this year.
The Senior Fund also set a record with 92.7 percent participation, soaring past the Class of 2009 record of 90.5 percent. The Senior Fund, led by Director Amanda Kessler and Senior Fund Chair Adam Bulkley ’10, raised more than $18,000 for the College.
Parents stepped up, too. The Parents Fund, under the leadership of Director Susan Rautenberg and Co-chairs Francis and Jayanne Tedesco P’11, exceeded its goal, raising $2 million, up from $1.7 million last year.
The hard work of Fund Chair Mark L. Amsterdam ’66, Fund Development Council Chair Craig Brod ’77, Class Agent Program Chair Ira B. Malin ’75 and all of the volunteer members of the College’s committees played a vital role in exceeding the goal. College alumni trustees, the Columbia College Alumni Association and the Columbia College Board of Visitors, as well as the dedicated staff of the Alumni Office under the leadership of Executive Director of the College Fund Susan L. Birnbaum, all were instrumental in the fund’s success.
Unrestricted annual giving is a necessary ingredient in Columbia’s success, providing current and immediately usable funds for the College’s operations. The largest such application of unrestricted annual giving is financial aid, helping to preserve need-blind admissions and full-need financial aid. Annual giving also bolsters the student services and activities that enhance the quality of undergraduate life, and sustains the Core Curriculum. Gifts to the Columbia College Fund count toward the $4 billion goal of the Columbia Campaign, which launched in 2005. This fiscal year the Columbia Campaign raised $390 million in new gifts and pledges.
To make a gift to the Columbia College Fund in FY11, go to www.college.columbia.edu/giveonline or call 212-851-7488.
Ethan Rouen ’04J
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