Donor Makes Historic Challenge to the
College of Arts & Sciences

Challenge 2 You has taken on new meaning for the College of Arts & Sciences. The announcement of a powerful $25,000 challenge gift from an alumni donor is the largest challenge in the College's history. The Challenge 2 You campaign is set to boost alumni giving percentages.

Challenge 2 You has been issued to College of Arts & Sciences alumni so they can recognize the impact their gift can have on the College. "The University of Memphis has afforded me many opportunities, and now I am encouraging alumni to join me by making gifts to our University," said the donor "Now is the time to give back and recognize the opportunities provided to you. This Challenge 2 You will not only match your donation, it will essentially double your gift to the College of Arts & Sciences." The donor, who is a College of Arts & Sciences alumnus, Annual Fund donor, Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association and supporter of the Tiger Scholarship Fund realizes the importance of giving back to the College.

"This comes at a critical moment for the College of Arts & Sciences," said Henry Kurtz, Dean of the College. "We are grateful to this donor for understanding the importance of alumni participation. It is our hope that the challenge will inspire others to contribute to this worthy institution."

Through Challenge 2 You, the donor will match alumni donations to the College of Arts & Sciences dollar-for-dollar. All gifts designated to CAS by individuals who have not given in the last seven years will be matched up to $25,000. Alumni may designate their gift to any area of the college, including all departments, institutes, centers, scholarships and funds.

The Challenge match applies to all gifts made by new alumni donors between July 2009 and June 30, 2010. Making a gift is easy. To donate by credit card, go online at www.memphis.edu/giving/; make a check payable to the University of Memphis Foundation and mail it to Department 238, U of M Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148-0001; or deliver a check in person to the Alumni Center, 635 Normal Street, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You also may make a gift by automatic bank draft. For more information, call 901-678-3953.

The campaign is designed to increase alumni participation and giving during the 2010 fiscal year and, in the long term, to establish a lasting pattern of giving among alumni.

The University of Memphis announces a goal of 12% alumni giving participation by the 100th Anniversary in 2012.As the U of M improves its Alumni Participation Rate, we can continue to move up in national rankings. The U of M, in turn, will be able to attract even more high-quality students; continue to recruit outstanding faculty; and improve key programs, while increasing financial support from foundations, corporations and other donors like you. Making a gift to the University of Memphis this year is needed now, more than ever.

We need alumni and friends to step forward – participation is what counts! By making such a gift today, you help us continue to be one of the leading universities in this region and beyond.