Middle Tennessee State University has landed in the Top 10 again, this time as part of the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties’ announcement of a record-breaking $2.955 million in secured pledges for its 2011 fundraising campaign.

MTSU employees gave $81,578 exclusively to the local United Way to take the No. 7 spot in the organization’s “Top 10 Campaigns” listing, announced Feb. 21 at the annual Community Celebration recognizing United Way corporate partners and volunteers.

Dr. Gloria Bonner, left, accepts an award Feb. 20 on behalf of MTSU from 2011 Campaign Chair Tracy Toy as one of the Top 10 Campaigns for the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. At right is UWRCC President and CEO Brian Hercules. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The University met its own “100% for the 100th” goal in its complete Employee Charitable Giving Campaign for 2011-12, raising a total of $112,304.36 to be distributed to Independent Charities, Community Health Charities and Community Shares as well as the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

The “100% for the 100th” theme reflected the University’s effort to increase employee participation in its Centennial year among its 2,200-plus employees. Seventy-five percent of MTSU’s donors designated their dollars for United Way.

The Feb. 21 “Community Celebration” was sponsored by Regions Bank, Nissan, Publix, Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Embassy Suites and Ben and Janice McCloud of Recognition Concepts.

The top 10 campaigns, in order of total funds raised for United Way, included:

• 10. City of Murfreesboro, $35,449;
• 9. Heritage Farms Dairy, Inc., $42,026;
• 8. Bridgestone La Vergne Plant and the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, $67,025;
• 7. Middle Tennessee State University, $81,578;
• 6. State Farm Insurance Company, $126,245;
• 5. Nissan North America, Inc., $140,494;
• 4. Rutherford County Government and Schools, $190,698;
• 3. Yates Services, $205,220;
• 2. Publix Super Markets & Publix Super Markets Charities, $274,684; and
• 1. General Mills, $671,325.

United Way also recognized the best overall campaigns in each category, which were determined on various factors such as percentage increase in employee giving, percentage increase in participation, volunteering with the organization and conducting special events to benefit it.

The Best Overall Campaign award recipient was General Mills, whose local operation increased its:

• overall employee gift by more than 15 percent;
• overall campaign total by almost 15 percent;
• number of leadership donors by 7 percent;
• leadership-donor contributions by 23 percent;
• average gift by 27 percent; and
• employee per-capita giving by 25 percent.

General Mills also provided 25 volunteers for United Way’s 2011 Day of Action and two loaned executives for the 2011 fundraising campaign.

United Way will host its third annual “3 Point Play” meet-and-greet with the MTSU Lady Raiders on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Toot’s Restaurant, 860 N.W. Broad St. A silent auction will be held to benefit United Way.