UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
University Homepage: http://www.utk.edu/
Online Giving: https://www.utk.edu/giving
Alumni Homepage: http://www.utk.edu/alumni
My Year vs. Your School 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
My Year vs. Your Year
IT'S ALL ABOUT TRADITION!
The Hill, Rocky Top, the Vol Walk, Smokie, the Pride of the Southland Band's Power "T", Painting "The Rock". These are some of the many traditions that define the UT experience.
Another tradition Vols take great pride in is our tradition of success. With 6 National Football Championships, 7 Women's Basketball NCAA Titles, 13 SEC Football Championships, 24 Bowl Victories, 5 College World Series appearances.....Well, let's just say we've gotten used to winning!
Today, the Graduates Of the Last Decade (GOLD) have an opportunity to help our alma mater continue its winning ways in the Southeastern Conference. This year, the member institutions of the SEC will be keeping score in a somewhat different way during in the first annual SEC GOLD Challenge!
THE SEC GOLD CHALLENGE
Alumni from the members of the Southeastern Conference have a reputation for their loyalty and passion for their alma maters that is unparalleled in college athletics. However, debate rages over which school has the most loyal fan base.
Through the annual SEC GOLD Challenge, we are able to find out which school truly has the most loyal alumni.
Another purpose of the Challenge is to educate younger graduates about the importance of giving back to their alma mater and how everyone's participation has an impact.
THE RULES
From July 1st to June 30th, each SEC Member will record the number of their alumni from the classes of 1998-2007 that make any gift of any size to their school's Annual Giving program. Gifts to athletic boosters such as the VASF will not be not eligible.
On June 30, 2008, the member school with the highest percentage of alumni from the last decade that made a gift will win. It's that simple!
WHY GIVE?
Other than the pride of wanting to help push the Vols to victory, your gift will have a tremendous impact on UT. Consider this:
1) This year, operating costs for UT will surpass $800 million. Of this total, only 25% will come from student tuition and fees.
2) Each year costs rise significantly. However, over the past decade, support from the state legislature has decreased or remained flat.
3) Your gift along with those of your peers helps to provide additional resources for academic scholarships, classroom upgrades, recruitment and retention of talented faculty, lab and research equipment, student enrichment activities and technology upgrades.
4) You can control where your gift is used. You can designate your gift to the College, department, or program of your choice this way you know where your gift has an impact.
5) Alumni Participation is significant criteria used in ranking Colleges and Universities such as the U.S. News and World Report rankings. These rankings are important not only from a perspective of pride but they are often used by employers and peers when forming an opinion as to the value of your degree in the marketplace.
HOW YOU CAN BE ON THE TEAM
Being a member of the team is easy! By making a gift to the UT Annual Giving program, you help score points for the Vols and help increase our giving percentage. Remember, it's your participation that counts - not the size of your gift. Everyone can be on the team!
Here is how you can get on board:
You can score right now by clicking the "Take the Challenge" button to make a gift online using your Mastercard, Visa, or Discover. - The UT Annual Giving Program
SEC Challenge
1609 Melrose Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-3550
*Extra Points - Make sure to check and see if your employer will match your gift
- Encourage your friends, family and former classmates to step up to the Challenge!
Please call the Office of Annual Giving at (865) 974-5439 for more information on how you can "join the team".