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Fall 2004
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Publications Department, Boston University, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, One Sherborn Street, Boston, MA 02215, 617-353-9253

New Gift Clubs for Leadership Donors

This summer the Boston University Annual Fund created leadership giving societies to acknowledge contributions to the Annual Fund at five premium levels: $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000.

“In addition to the satisfaction of being an integral part of the future of the University, we hope all our society members will feel a closer tie with their alma mater,” says Coleen Resnick, director of annual giving. “The University will strengthen its relationship with these donors—through communication with their school or college and the University, invitations to special events with faculty and administrators and other leadership donors, and recognition in publications.” Alumni will be recognized as members of the societies in the newsletter of their school or another public forum. Members of the top two groups, the President’s Associates and the President’s Circle, will be invited to a dinner or reception with BU President ad interim Aram Chobanian. Many schools are offering, at the $2,500 and $5,000 levels, regular reports from the dean and also dinners or luncheons with the dean and select faculty members.

Donations to the Annual Fund go into the general fund of the school specified by the donor. Plans for the funds raised differ among the schools. At the College of Communication, for example, donations go toward sending students to the Los Angeles Film Festival or the Advanced Journalism Studies Program in Washington, D.C., as well as a lecture series, the Career Center, the Writing Center, and a mentoring program that pairs students with alumni. The College of Engineering puts the money into scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students, professional student organizations, upgrades of research facilities, and outreach programs for

K–12 students, introducing children to the world of science and engineering. “Gifts to the Annual Fund support the immediate needs of the school or college and provide flexible income for initiatives,” Resnick says, adding that members of the new Leadership Giving Societies will be “part of a vital support system for BU’s pursuit of excellence.”

—NB