within reach.
Donors enjoyed the opportunity to meet the students who benefit from their generosity at the first Scholarship Luncheon, held in April. Shown in larger photo, College of Engineering Associate Dean Tesfay Meressi (far left), student Noemi Chiriac, who holds the Brenda Karnasiewicz Scholarship, and Connie Karnasiewicz. Dr. Richard Ward (inset), former business college dean, talks with Stephanie Mireku ’11, recipient of the Cecilia B. Ward Memorial Scholarship.
Dear alumni, parents, and friends,
n $1 million pledge from the 3R’s Foundation to support
On behalf of Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, I am pleased to present the Annual Report of the UMass Dartmouth Foundation for fiscal year 2008, which lists individuals and companies who have made contributions to the university from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. The list of donors provided in this Annual Report represents an impressive cross section of alumni, parents, friends, staff, faculty, and corporations, foundations, and organizations who collectively committed more than $6.8 million towards the education of the next generation of leaders enrolled at UMass Dartmouth. You may think that this list simply provides information on last year’s donors, but over time I hope you come to realize that it offers so much more. Each and every name signifies a contribution that enables the university to remove financial barriers for students; improve technology and resources; ensure the retention of top faculty; and provide an affordable quality education for more than 8,300 students. Moreover, every name represents an opportunity that a student might otherwise not have without the support of generous benefactors and friends. This accessibility, combined with a world-class education, is what differentiates a UMass Dartmouth education from all others. UMass Dartmouth is fortunate to have so many supporters among its constituency and this Annual Report is a testament to this commitment. A mong the many generous contributions UMass Dartmouth received in fiscal year 2008, a few noteworthy commitments warrant special recognition: n $1 million pledge from the Robert F. Stoico/First Fed
Charitable Foundation to support the Claire T. Carney Library and to endow the Robert F. Stoico Scholarship;
U M a s s
the establishment of the Center for Indic Studies Education Initiative;
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UM ass D artmouth A nnual R eport 2008
world class.
n $250,000 pledge from the Prince Henry Society
of Massachusetts in support of the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives; n $354,284 in–kind contribution from the New Bedford
fishing fleet in support of SMAST’s scallop research. These transformational gifts illustrate the importance of visionary leaders who recognize the special significance of investing in education and the impact it has on community members, local businesses, and all of southeastern Massachusetts. The scope of the programs supported by these leadership gifts also exemplifies the international approach that UMass Dartmouth embraces in order to provide an education that is truly global in nature. T he future of UMass Dartmouth shines very brightly, despite the diminishing support the state provides to the school each year. Over the last 20 years, support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has dropped from 72% to roughly 23% of the university’s annual operating budget. Conversely, support from our constituency continues to grow and we are humbled by the generosity of our alumni, parents, friends, and local community, especially during these unstable economic times. Thank you again for your unwavering support. Your investment allows UMass Dartmouth to offer the best education possible so that our students can make their own important contributions toward making our world a better place for all. Sincerely, Michael J. Eatough Assistant Chancellor of Advancement
D a r t m o u t h
F o u n d a t i o n
A n n u a l
R e p o r t
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Spring 2009