MTSU Employees Pledge Almost $145K to Charitable Giving Campaign

With a theme this year of “Make a Difference,” Middle Tennessee State University’s 2022-23 Employee Charitable Giving Campaign will do just that, with a record-setting amount of almost $145,000 pledged, beating the $142,500 campaign goal.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee lauded the university’s 830 faculty and staff participants for again rising to the occasion and demonstrating their True Blue spirit of giving with pledges totaling $144,906.

“Even as inflationary pressures have impacted us all this year, I’m not surprised that our employees recognized that it was more important than ever to give back during this time to assist the most vulnerable among our neighbors and friends throughout the community,” said McPhee.

“MTSU prides itself on being a good neighbor and finding ways to make this great community even greater. I’m so very grateful to all who participated in another record-setting campaign and committed to share their financial resources with area nonprofit organizations that do such great work in supporting those in need.”

MTSU’s annual Charitable Giving Campaign is led by a committee of faculty and staff volunteers to rally financial support for worthy causes. The campaign is fueled largely by monthly payroll deductions from employees over the next year, but also allows one-time, lump-sum gifts at the donor’s discretion.

Participants can designate gifts to 140-plus organizations from a list of 10 independent charities and three federated groups of charities, including Community Health Charities, Community Shares, and local United Way organizations.

Throughout the monthlong campaign, participants’ names were entered into weekly drawings for a variety of “True Blue” swag and reserved parking spaces. All employees are eligible for the drawings, even those who choose not to give, as long as they register at the campaign website maintained by the Information Technology Division.

This year’s record pledge amount followed last year’s record campaign in which $140,791 was pledged — just exceeding the campaign goal of $140,000.

Meanwhile, in what has become a tradition, the Jennings A. Jones College of Business extended its streak to 10 straight years of winning the Provost Cup, a friendly competition between academic units that is awarded to the college with the highest percentage of employee participation.

“I’d like to share this award with all the faculty and staff in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, especially those who participated in the campaign,” said Jones College Dean David Urban, who applauded the college’s team captains and overall campaign coordinator Allyson Baugh, operations administrator. “I think it’s evidence of the commitment that the people in the Jones College have, not just to the university, but to the broader community.”

In presenting the cup, Provost Mark Byrnes said, “It is very appropriate as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, that we take time to think about the community in which we live. This charitable giving campaign allows us to express, through our donations, that we care about the folks in the broader community. … I’ve very grateful for everybody who has participated this year.”