Michael Baum, a CAS professor of biology and associate chairman of the department, won a one-night stay for two at the Hotel Commonwealth in the second drawing of BU’s 2003 United Way campaign on October 24. “This is the first time I’ve ever won anything in my life,” Baum says. “I’m wishing my mother-in-law were still alive so that I could put her up at the Hotel Commonwealth, but as it is, I guess my wife and I will have to go down and enjoy it one night. I’ve been giving to United Way since I came to BU in 1985. I think it’s really important to our community.”

In the same drawing, Bei-Hung Chang, an SPH assistant professor in the department of health services, won a pair of tickets for the Beanpot Tournament. “It’s always nice to win a prize,” says Chang, who has never been to a BU hockey game. “When I first received the e-mail regarding the prize, I had to call my husband to ask him what the Beanpot is.
Because of my donation to a particular organization through United Way, I have received regular newsletters from the organization. I am glad to be involved in the community, even in a small way.”

The annual United Way fund drive began on October 1. Participants contributing $75 or more ($1.45 a week) are eligible to win incentive prizes, which are being raffled off at drawings every Friday through November 14 and at the December 18 University holiday party. Remaining prizes include a $200 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble at BU, a dinner cruise for two aboard the Spirit of Boston, four first balcony seats for May’s BU Night at the Pops, four tickets to the Commencement and Reunion Weekend all-University buffet celebration, three weekend getaways for two at a Marriott hotel, and a travel package for two to any location in the continental United States.

As of October 24, Boston University employees had contributed more than $108,600 to the United Way, representing 62.1 percent of BU’s $175,000 campaign goal. For information on giving to the United Way, call 617-358-UWAY.