"Compared to the prior year, our contributions increased 42 percent or more than $88,000-$299,839 in 2007 and $211,089 in 2006. In addition, the number of donors nearly doubled from 766 to 1,528," said Student Center Director Rich Steele, coordinator of the Institute's campaign. "[We] averaged nearly $55 per employee, or $196 per donor." Career Services Director Ralph Mobley is campaign co-coordinator.

Overall, the Institute raised nearly $300,000 for 1,000 state-based charities from October 8 to November 2 of last year. "The success this year came primarily from the 90-plus departmental coordinators who worked diligently for almost six weeks to encourage participation in their respective departments," Steele said.

The luncheon was held in the Sloppy Floyd building on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near the state Capitol.