AUFD offers many options for charitable gifts this holiday season

By Dan Bodene, contributing writer

Faculty, staff and retirees of Oakland University can get a triple benefit with their annual giving this year.

A gift to OU’s All-University Fund Drive (AUFD) will support students, programs or local charitable organizations and, at the same time, can be designated in honor of a colleague.

In addition, OU President Gary Russi will again match gifts to AUFD (up to $5,000) with 50 cents on the dollar.

“The generosity of OU faculty, staff and retirees is truly awesome,” said Starr Cornell, director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. “Clearly, every gift, no matter what the size, makes an important cumulative difference in the life of OU. I’d like to thank this community for its investment, helping the next generation of students through a tradition of generosity that links us all – past, present and future.”

The AUFD, which provides support to the university, United Way of Southeastern Michigan and Black United Fund of Michigan, is nearing its final weeks, with gifts due to the Annual Giving office by December 22.

Gifts can be directed to a university program of choice, or can be unrestricted. And, they can be made in honor of anyone who a donor feels has played a meaningful role at Oakland.

Since 1975, when the AUFD began, nearly $3.8 million has been donated by more than 2,100 faculty, staff and retirees, Cornell said. “And this figure doesn’t include Dr. Russi’s matching dollars from the past few years,” she added.

AUFD contributor Beth Talbert, a special instructor in the Communication and Journalism Department, summed up its impact: “As a community, there is great commitment to the success of our students – whether it's inspiring our students to do undergraduate research or to develop their leadership through a student organization. Giving to the AUFD allows me to support scholarships and other programs that directly impact the lives of our students.”

For more information on the AUFD, or to make a gift, visit the website or contact Donna McVay at mcvay2@oakland.edu or by calling (248) 370-6162.