Middle Tennessee State University faculty and staff again stepped up in support of their neighbors by pledging a record $140,791 for the 2021-22 Employee Charitable Giving Campaign, beating the $140,000 campaign goal.

In addition to the record dollar amount, this year’s campaign also attracted the highest number of participants: 864.

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee praised university faculty and staff for their generosity in line with the True Blue spirit of giving.

“I continue to be amazed by the willingness of so many on our campus to do their part to help those in our community who need a helping hand through the tremendous services offered from the nonprofit community,” said McPhee.

“This university takes great pride in being a good neighbor and giving back to a community that has given it so much. This is a time of year for thanksgiving and thinking of others, and this campaign has always been a very tangible way for the Blue Raider community to do our part. I’m grateful to all who participated.”

MTSU’s annual Charitable Giving Campaign is led by a committee of faculty and staff volunteers to rally financial support for worthy causes.

The campaign is fueled largely by monthly payroll deductions from employees over the next year, but also allows one-time, lump-sum gifts at the donor’s discretion.

Participants can designate gifts to 140-plus organizations from a list of 10 independent charities and three federated groups of charities, including Community Health Charities, Community Shares, and local United Way organizations.

Throughout the month, participants’ names were entered into weekly drawings for a variety of “True Blue” swag and reserved parking spaces. All employees are eligible for the drawings, even those who choose not to give, as long as they register at the campaign website maintained by the Information Technology Division.

“Mr. MTSU” John Hood, left, director of governmental and community affairs, and Brenda Wonder, administrative coordinator for Facilities Services, conduct one of the weekly drawings in the Cope Administration Building lobby as part of the 2021-22 MTSU Employee Charitable Giving Campaign. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

This year’s record pledge amount followed last year’s record campaign in which more than 840 participants pledged $136,438.81 — exceeding the campaign goal of $135,000.

Meanwhile, the Jennings A. Jones College of Business extended its streak to nine straight years of winning the Provost Cup, a friendly competition between academic units that is awarded to the college with the highest percentage of employee participation.

“Once again, Jones college faculty and staff have demonstrated their generosity and concern for the well-being of the broader community,” Jones College Dean David Urban said. “The Provost’s Cup is a visual reminder of their commitment. I am very proud of the True Blue Spirit in Jones College.”

In presenting the cup, Provost Mark Byrnes called it a “a great day to recognize the generosity of our employees and their connection to the wider community.”

For more information about the campaign, contact Mary Purdom in the Division of Marketing and Communicationsat Mary.Purdom@mtsu.edu or visit https://mtsu.edu/givemtsu.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)

MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes, left, presents the Provost Cup to Jones College of Business Dean David Urban to wrap up the recent 2021-22 MTSU Employee Charitable Giving Campaign. The Provost Cup is a friendly competition between academic units that is awarded to the college with the highest percentage of employee participation. The Jones College of Business has won the cup for eight straight years. (MTSU photo by John Goodwin)