News Release

Sweet Sensation! The 2015 "Proud Donor" Annual Scholarship Fund Campaign Starts February 13

Now open to all employees, the 4th annual scholarship drive features candy, cupcakes, raffle drawings and give-aways to raise donation level for students to realize their dreams of a college education.

The 4th annual Employee "Proud Donor" Campaign is set to kick off on Friday, February 13. This month-long drive will once again give University faculty and staff members the opportunity to donate in support of the scholarships that make higher education possible for many students who otherwise could not afford to attend college. 

This year marks the first year that part-time staff and adjunct faculty are also eligible to donate to the Annual Fund. The expansion of participation encompasses the entire University community and allows everyone the opportunity to become a Proud Donor. The committee is hoping to reach its goal of 100 percent participation across all WilmU locations. 

As always, 100 percent of all donations go toward student scholarships. Posters featuring the pictures and stories of both selected donors and student scholarship recipients will be displayed at all University locations. 

“The scholarship I was awarded has without a doubt removed a financial burden off of my shoulders," said Computer Network Security Program student Donté Dimanche, Class of 2017. "I want to thank my donor and give him or her a big hug. WilmU has changed my future. I really feel like I'm being prepared. Now I'm able to take a more balanced approach in achieving success in my personal and professional life.”  

Proud Donor Committee members will visit each University site with candy and "goodies" as encouragement and appreciation for all donations they receive to keep interest and enthusiasm high for the campaign. "Proud Donor" buttons will be given to every person who donates and the name of each donor will be entered into the prize raffle drawings planned throughout the month.

The campaign will come to a close  at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, with a special cupcake celebration that will be held as a thank you for employees at all locations. Each location will have one special, "prize cupcake" at the celebration. The employee who gets the “winning bite” will win a prize!

All sites will be able to share in each other's events via live web conference. Student scholarship recipients will also attend as a way of showing their appreciation.

"In 2014, we hit a milestone of 63% of employees participating with contributions," said Gloria Johnson, Director of the Annual Fund. "Our goal for 2015 is to increase the number of participants across the board. We will encourage every employee to donate and offer the convenience of payroll deduction."  

The 2015 Proud Donor Committee members are:

.  Gloria Johnson, Brandi Purcell and Jane West (Event Chairs; New Castle Campus & Athletic Complex)

·  Chris Owens (New Castle Campus)

·  Kim Christensen (Wilson Graduate Center)

.  Melissa DiRocco (Wilson Graduate Center)

·  Dennis Huffman (Rehoboth Site)

·  Dana Abbott-Painter (Georgetown Site)

·  Janet Gill (Dover Site)

·  Louise Babuschak (New Jersey Sites)

For more information about the annual Proud Donor Scholarship Fund, contact any of the Proud Donor Committee members. To learn more about the students who benefit from Annual Fund scholarships or to donate online, go to The Wilmington University Fund Drive. 

Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - New Castle, DE