RELEASED: December 4, 2008

DANVILLE, KY—Each year, Centre College works to raise money for the local United Way chapter. This year, 51 percent of the campus community participated in the campaign, the highest participation rate in at least five years, compared to last year's participation rate of 42 percent.

The 51 percent participation rate translated into the College raising almost $35,000 to help local community agencies.

"The United Way Agency provides support to so many people within our community—the young and the elderly," says Kay Drake, Centre director of human resources and administrative services and coordinator of the fundraising effort on campus. "Centre always prides itself on doing things well, and it was wonderful to see our participation level at a record high this year. I hope even more people will be involved next year, either through the team baskets for the Favors Auction, pledges, Day of Caring or serving on the committee."

Four campus teams this year had a participation rate of at least 90 percent:

President/Academic Affairs team, lead by Sallie Bright, had a participation rate of 100 percent.

Facilities Management Team 3, lead by Debbie Livasy, had a participation rate of 100 percent.

Facilities Management Team 1, lead by Dawn Bailey, had a participation rate of 93 percent.

Facilities Management Team 2, lead by Ruby Baker, had a participation rate of 91 percent.

- end -

Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.