News & Events
City Tech Hosts Launch of 19th Annual CUNY Campaign for Voluntary Charitable Giving
Left to right, City Tech Foundation Executive Director Jewel Trowers Escobar, City Tech Foundation Chairman Martin Jaffe, City Tech CUNY Campaign Coordinator Helen Covington and CUNY Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and CUNY Campaign Chair Rick Schaffer.
An awards ceremony and kick-off celebration hosted by City Tech on October 10 marked the official launch of the 2002/2003 CUNY Campaign for Voluntary Charitable Giving. The event, which was attended by the presidents, campaign coordinators or others representatives of the University's 17 constituent colleges, law school, graduate school and central administration, was organized by City Tech's CUNY Campaign Coordinator Helen Covington in collaboration with University and United Way of New York City officials. A member of the campaign's steering committee, Covington is also the college's director of alumni relations.
The 2002/2003 campaign runs through December 20. This year's theme, "Caring Close to Home," was chosen to honor the memory of all members of the CUNY family --students, faculty, staff and alumni -- whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001.
"This past year has been like no other," wrote CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein in a message opening the 2002/2003 campaign. "The events of September 11 changed our perspective on life in this city forever, and affected the lives of New Yorkers in ways we are still struggling to grasp."
The chancellor's message noted how CUNY was directly impacted by those events, with members of the university community suffering loss of life and severe material damage. "But in the weeks and months following," Goldstein added, "the people at CUNY responded unanimously with the remarkable bravery, generosity, selflessness and sacrifice that distinguishes the true spirit of New York. I have never been prouder to be affiliated with this university."
Speakers at the October 10 kick-off included CUNY Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and campaign chair Rick Schaffer, the United Way of New York City's CUNY Campaign Director Jo Gonsalves, City Tech President Fred Beaufait and City Tech Foundation Chair Martin Jaffe, who delivered keynote remarks. During the 2001/2002 campaign awards presentation that was a part of the morning's activities, Helen Covington accepted two awards on behalf of City Tech - Highest Total Gift by a Senior College and a Goal Buster Award, presented to colleges that equaled or surpassed their contributions goal.
Last year, 2,357 members of the CUNY community gave $371,000 to the campaign. That figure represented a 10 percent increase over the previous year's giving and a noteworthy performance during a difficult period that saw a often sharp nationwide decline in contributions to many worthy charitable endeavors.
The CUNY Campaign supports more than 1,000 non-profit partner agencies in health care, human services and education. These agencies in turn provide crucial support to men, women and children suffering from poverty, illness, homelessness or addiction. The campaign also assists the City Tech Foundation and the College's Children's Center.
Photo by George Lowe
