Brian Sullivan and Dr. Heidi MacDonald co-chair the 2007 Supporting Our Students campaign.
As Chairs, Sullivan and MacDonald provide leadership to a team of volunteers who encourage fellow faculty and staff to contribute to Supporting Our Students.
Sullivan, associate executive director for Physical Plant and Operations, and MacDonald, Chair for the Department of History, believe that Supporting Our Students plays a significant role and that it is worth participating in.
"Often our work can seem removed from students, but this campaign really has direct benefits. Supporting Our Students is something I'm happy to be a part of," says MacDonald.
Sullivan agrees that it is an honour to play an active role in the campaign.
"As the U of L grows, it is increasingly important to show our community that we believe in our institution and students - Supporting Our Students is one way we can do this," says Sullivan.
Last year, faculty and staff collectively gave more than $80,000 to Supporting Our Students. All of the money raised directly impacted deserving students.
"A lot of students work 20 to 30 hours a week just to make ends meet. Scholarships not only help to ease the financial burden of post-secondary education, but they also give students the encouragement they need to succeed," says Sullivan.
For MacDonald, participating in Supporting Our Students is a way to personally give back to the institution.
"I know how deeply appreciative I was to receive scholarships. It's a pleasure to be able to help someone in the same way that someone helped me," says MacDonald.
The goal for this year's campaign is to increase the number of people who participate through financial contributions. One in eight students at the U of L currently benefit from scholarships; Sullivan and MacDonald would like to see that number increase.
"We all have a role to play, and every little bit helps. Giving to Supporting Our Students provides immense satisfaction because you know that your donation is going to have an immediate positive impact in the life of a student," says MacDonald.