Faculty and staff at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, overwhelmingly participated in this year’s Big Orange Family Campaign, with 63 percent of the university’s employees investing back into Rocky Top through a donation.
During the campaign, a total of 3,177 donors supported 94 unique funds, with each choosing an area of campus significant to them. There were 205 new donors this year, and 36 campus teams reached 100 percent participation. This was the eighth year of the campaign.
Amanda Armstrong, sales manager for conferences and non-credit programs at UT, was the captain of her team for the first time. She had a very positive experience rallying her coworkers, who reached 100 percent participation within their unit.
“Our department understands how important the support of staff and faculty is to the university,” Armstrong said. “A gift through the Big Orange Family Campaign allows us to invest in ourselves, our students, and our campus community. It also shows the broader community that we are committed to the success of UT.”
Armstrong added that, given that many UT employees are currently working remotely, it was difficult to connect in person. She relied on emails and phone calls to generate enthusiasm among her coworkers.
“I am thankful that my coworkers understood the importance of supporting our university and came on board,” Armstrong said.
A gift through the Big Orange Family Campaign allows us to invest in ourselves, our students, and our campus community. It also shows the broader community that we are committed to the success of UT.
– Amanda Armstrong, sales manager for conferences and non-credit programs
Chip Bryant, vice chancellor for advancement at UT, congratulated the entire university on another year of supporting the many vital areas of UT which better the lives of students and communities throughout the state.
“Our faculty and staff demonstrate the Volunteer spirit year round, and the Big Orange Family Campaign is one way in which we let the world know our commitment to UT,” Bryant said. “The ongoing success of this campaign is truly something to be proud of.”
Lauren Herbstritt, director of advancement for annual giving, says she’s excited that 205 new donors joined the Big Orange Family Campaign despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.
“Our team leaders embody the Volunteer spirit,” Herbstritt said. “They motivated their colleagues to invest in UT even when many have not seen each other face to face in over a year. Team leaders showed creativity and flexibility in this year’s campaign, and it is evident in the results.”
Teams that reached 100 percent giving this year include:
- Advancement
- Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research
- Business Analytics and Statistics
- Center for Health Education and Wellness
- Center for Leadership and Service
- Center for Student Engagement
- College of Communication and Information School of Public Relations and Advertising
- College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Social Work—Nashville Campus
- Composition and Communications
- Conferences—Continuing Education
- Dean of Students Office
- Department of Classics
- Department of Accounting
- Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Department of Nuclear Engineering
- Department of Retail Hospitality and Tourism
- Finance and Administration
- Haslam College of Business Administration
- Haslam College of Business Advising
- Haslam College of Business Department of Marketing
- Haslam College of Business Graduate & Executive Education
- Haslam College of Business IT Support
- Haslam College of Business Marketing and Public Relations
- Haslam College of Business Office of Diversity and Community Relations
- Haslam College of Business Undergraduate Programs
- Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life
- Plumbing Services
- Recreational Sports
- Student Media
- Thompson-Boling Arena Building Services and Athletics Custodial Services
- Tickle College of Engineering Communications
- UT Police Department
