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RELEASED: Nov. 26, 2003
DANVILLE, KY—It's time to recapture the title. For the past two years, Centre has fallen short in claiming the top national ranking in annual alumni-giving percentage. The College has been on top 16 of the past 20 years and is now looking to make it 17 of 21.
In 2001-02, Centre was No. 2 in the nation with 61 percent of alumni donating to Centre. Sixty-one percent gave again last year, as the College came up short for the No. 1 spot by 150 alumni donors.
This year with "Route 66" as the theme of the annual-giving campaign, Centre is shooting at a goal of 66 percent alumni participation, which is likely to propel Centre back to the top.
"It's virtually impossible to overstate the impact that being No. 1 in annual giving has on the College as whole, whether we're talking to a prospective student or the president of a foundation, to name just a couple of examples," said Jamey Elliott '96, director of annual giving at Centre. "Being able to say 'we have the most loyal alumni in the country' has a tremendous impact."
After the recently concluded fall phon-a-thon, where the average pledge was $75, Centre stands at 36 percent participation—more than halfway toward its goal for the year. The campaign concludes June 30, 2004.
"We're very pleased with our results to date and believe that because of the terrific response of our alumni so far we have a great chance to get back to No. 1," Elliott said. "We still have a long way to go and every gift counts."
Centre is the only school in the country that can make the claim of achieving greater than 60 percent alumni participation for the past 21 years. The College is proud of that record and looks to enhance that tradition this year.
"We'd like to thank our alumni and all of our donors, particularly at this time of year, for both their loyalty and generosity," Elliott said. "And, of course, we'd like to encourage those who haven't yet made a gift to help up get back to No. 1."
To make a gift to Centre, visit http://gifts.centre.edu/.
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