| university achievement |
Reconnecting
New call center promotes Annual Giving, employs JSU students by university communications
J
ackson State University’s Department of Development recently opened a new call center as an extension of the Annual Giving program. Housed inside the Mississippi Urban Research Center at the Jackson Medical Mall, the center is more than a fundraising project; it also provides jobs for students. “Thirty JSU students call alumni to reconnect them with their university, share new and exciting news and ask for alumni support through a financial gift,” said Tangelia Kelly, associate director of Annual Giving at JSU. “We raised $25,000 in the first week,” she said. “We’re calling donors and young alumni who have never given. We’re calling friends, faculty and staff.” The call center’s spring session began Jan. 29 and continues through May 2. The center operates two shifts on Sunday, from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Calls are made from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The student callers also are gathering up-to-date contact information from alumni for the Department of Development. “A lot of people appreciate JSU calling them and letting them know about things that are going on. When we call our nondonors, they are excited about a chance to give,” Kelly said. Donors can give to any fund they choose, but the call center’s focus is the Excellence Fund, which covers scholarships, book awards and university support. It’s an unrestricted account, Kelly said. RuffaloCODY, a company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which works with universities across the nation, is facilitating the call center. Kelly said the university expects to eventually hire a call center manager. Three ways to make a gift to
Jackson State University: You can make a difference today. Give online at www.jsums.edu/giveonline, call 601-979-1760 or mail your gift to: Jackson State University Advancement Services JSU Box 17144 Jackson, MS 39217 Make checks payable to the Jackson State University Development Foundation (JSUDF)
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Lauren Summers, reaching out to alumni for support, is one of 30 JSU students working at the call center.
Tangelia Kelly, associate director of Annual Giving at JSU, helps oversee the call center.