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Intellect

Despite sour economy, Employee Giving campaign enjoys sweet success

More Brigham Young University students than ever before will be receiving scholarships and mentored-learning grants in upcoming semesters because of the outpouring of employee support. Despite this year’s dire economic conditions, 72 percent of BYU’s full-time employees participated in the March 2009 campaign, easily exceeding the previous participation record of 67 percent.

Holly Skelton, campaign committee chairman, made the announcement to a Hinckley Center assembly of Employee Giving committee members and department representatives. She credited this year’s success to the 124 volunteers who caught the vision of making the campus stronger and more united in supporting its students.

“We cannot overemphasize the impact that each representative made,” Skelton said. “We know of some who took the time to visit every employee in their department. Others came up with creative ways to encourage peers to support the campaign. These were all wonderful examples of our BYU community in action!”

At the April 28 announcement program, the audience heard from Emily Burr, a business management major who expressed gratitude for a scholarship that allowed her to continue at BYU after returning from a mission and learning that her family would not be able to provide any financial help.

The program alsofeatured the performance of an original song written by Randy Evans, an Employee Giving representative from the Missionary Training Center, and his colleague Shane Littlefield. President Cecil O. Samuelson concluded the celebration by thanking everyone for their commitment, service and investment in BYU.

Writer: Rick Stockton

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