Your work inspires our friends and supporters

Colleagues:

On Tuesday, February 20, friends around the world will come together to support the University of Kansas’ first-ever 24-hour giving campaign, One Day. One KU. In advance of this event, I want to thank you for the crucial role you play in our fundraising efforts. Donors support KU because they believe in the work you do to improve our state and society. For that, you have my sincere appreciation.

First and foremost, our friends believe in your efforts to educate students, as evidenced by the volume of private funds that support scholarships. This scholarship support is a key reason we have grown our enrollment four straight years and continue to recruit the most talented and diverse freshmen in history.

In addition to scholarships, your work inspires donors to support distinctive student experiences such as our student-run ad agency and entrepreneurship programming through the schools of business and engineering and our KU Innovation & Collaboration unit.

Your work inspires supporters to help grow and modernize our campuses. This year, KU students are taking classes in the new Health Education Building and enjoying renovated study carrels in Watson Library, thanks to donor support. And last month, students and researchers began learning and discovering in the new Earth, Energy and Environment Center, which was supported by donors who recognize the important work we do in geology, nanoscience, physics, chemistry, and petroleum engineering.

Your work motivates donors to create endowed professorships and faculty awards. This support enables us to recruit renowned scholars from around the nation and to reward excellent teachers and researchers.

In other words, the work you do — and the financial support it inspires among our friends and donors — is transforming KU and moving us closer to our goals.

In the coming days, you will hear more about One Day. One KU. For those of you inclined to participate, this fundraising event is the perfect opportunity to show your Jayhawk pride by supporting the programs and priorities most meaningful to you. In the meantime, mark your calendar for February 20 and visit the One Day. One KU. website — and know that your work on behalf of KU is invaluable and appreciated.

Respectfully,

Doug

Douglas A. Girod
Chancellor
University of Kansas