Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine topped Oakland University’s All-University Fund Drive for the first time ever — bolstered by faculty, staff, and retirees who generously gave during the 2020 campaign.
OUWB had a participation rate of about 71 percent, a record for the school.
In another first, OUWB won the Grizzly Trophy as the unit with the most participation in the large division (more than 150 employees). The school also receives a bonus award of $5,000, which will be applied to the OUWB Student Scholarship fund.
OUWB Stephan Sharf Dean Duane Mezwa, M.D., thanked all of the donors for their kindness and generosity.
"We are not only moving as a school in the right direction but, even more importantly, we are standing together and growing closer," said Mezwa.
"OUWB has proven to the entire campus that we are united by our promise to be a school that values compassion, especially toward our students," he continued.
"I was not surprised by your generosity, but deeply touched when I saw how many of you designated your contribution to our student scholarship and other OUWB funds. Thank you for your kindness and generosity."
Established more than 40 years ago, the All-University Fund Drive underscores how monetary gifts from Oakland University employees and retirees can make a difference in the academic areas they hold most dear.
For 2020, OU’s AUFD raised nearly $668,000 from more than 1,100 donors. Total amounts raised by each unit are still being finalized and will be announced at a later date. Weimann said it’s important to note that funds raised will be matched 50 cents to every dollar (up to $1,000) by the office of Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.
Overall, the top five funds in the drive were: Grizzlies Food Pantry; Meadow Brook Hall; Golden Grizzlies Champion Fund; Student Emergency Fund; and OUWB School of Medicine Scholarship Fund.
Eight new endowments were created, including the Bella Rozencweig Hirsch Endowment for Biomedical Ethics at OUWB.
Claus Weimann, OUWB’s director of Philanthropy, said he was very happy with the results, especially since it will almost immediately benefit OUWB medical students.
“I’m really proud that OUWB showed so much unity and willingness to stand together, especially during these challenging times,” said Weimann. “It really means a lot to OUWB, especially since 100 percent of the funds will be distributed to students.”
Weimann said he believes OUWB had the most participation in the large division for several reasons, including increased efforts to communicate the needs of OUWB students to potential donors.
“At the same time, we had really great volunteers from the OUWB faculty and staff who were able to successfully reach out to those within the OUWB community,” he said.
Weimann added that he’s looking forward to students benefitting from the campaign as soon as possible.
“Donors don’t give us money so it can sit around and not be used,” he said. “They want it out benefiting students and that’s what I’m all about, too.”
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, marketing writer, OUWB, at [email protected].
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.
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