30 July 2013
Newswise — CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia — The University of Virginia Darden School of Business Annual Fund raised $4.57 million in unrestricted support in fiscal year 2013 — setting a record for the third year in a row. The total represents a 7 percent increase over the previous year and a 52 percent increase over three years.
“We are incredibly grateful to the 41 percent of Darden alumni and friends of the School who contributed to this year’s unprecedented result,” said Darden’s Dean Bob Bruner. “The high participation rates, tireless efforts of our alumni volunteers and the outpouring of support signal that Darden’s tight-knit, global community is stronger than ever. Together, we will lay the foundation for the next generation of leaders.”
Annual alumni giving participation is widely used to measure and benchmark alumni engagement and is often considered an indicator of the strength of an alumni network. Darden continues to rank in the top three for business school alumni participation. This year’s 41 percent participation rate represents a 4 percent increase in total alumni donors.
“Darden has an incredibly strong tradition of volunteer leadership with more than 400 volunteers working to advance the School’s mission in various ways,” said Carter Hoerr, Darden’s executive director for advancement. “We are grateful and encourage all Darden alumni to stay closely involved with the School. Your support makes a tremendous difference.”
To demonstrate their commitment to the School, Darden volunteers achieved 92 percent participation in the 2013 Annual Fund, shattering previous records. Fourteen of Darden’s 56 classes achieved 50 percent class participation or higher.
Support of the Annual Fund poured in from across the globe. For example, in China, alumni volunteers piloted an international agent program that resulted in more than 60 percent participation from Darden Chinese alumni — an unprecedented high for this group.
Another record was set by students of Darden’s graduating class. One hundred percent of students in all three formats of the Darden MBA — MBA, MBA for Executives and Global MBA for Executives — participated in the 2013 gifts. U.Va. President Teresa Sullivan acknowledged this extraordinary show of support during final exercises in May. Darden faculty also gave never-before-seen financial support to the School; 89 percent participated in annual giving — two percentage points above last year’s total.
Membership in Darden’s giving societies also grew to an all-time high. Members of the Hickory Club, which recognizes alumni who give consecutively for three or more years, climbed to nearly 3,000. Membership in the Darden Society, which recognizes donors who make leadership gifts to Darden of $2,500 or more, surpassed 600 members for the first time in the School’s history.
“We continue to be inspired by the generosity and commitment of the Darden community,” said Samantha Hartog, director of the Darden Annual Fund. “The results of the 2013 Annual Fund reflect the value that alumni, faculty and friends place on their lifelong relationship with the School.”
For questions or information, contact Samantha Hartog at [email protected] or a member of the Communication team.
About the Darden School of BusinessThe University of Virginia Darden School of Business is one of the world's leading business schools, offering MBA, Ph.D. and Executive Education programs. The unique Darden experience combines the case study method, top-ranked faculty whose research advances global managerial practice and business education, and a tight-knit learning environment to develop responsible and complete leaders who are ready to make an impact.
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