Newswise — The University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce set a new Annual Fund record in 2011-2012, raising $3,058,135. In doing so, it eclipsed the previous record of $2,976,055, set a year earlier, and surpassed its goal ($3 million) for the 11th straight year.

Loyal Supporters

McIntire Dean Carl Zeithaml expressed his deep gratitude for the loyalty and generosity of the School’s many supporters, whose commitment to the School remained staunch in the face of the recent uncertainty surrounding the status of UVA President Teresa Sullivan.

“On behalf of the entire Commerce School, I want to thank the many alumni, students, faculty, staff members, and friends who came together to show their support for UVA and McIntire by contributing to the Annual Fund,” he said. “Their unwavering support demonstrated not only the deep sense of community so characteristic of the McIntire School of Commerce, but also a powerful pride and belief in the future of the School and the University as extraordinary institutions of higher education.”

Investment in the Future

Katie Whittier, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Engagement, pointed out that alumni support through the Annual Fund indeed plays a key role in securing the School’s continued leadership in business education.

“Unrestricted gifts are absolutely essential to the ongoing success of the School,” she said. “A gift to the Annual Fund is an investment in today’s students, and it protects and enhances the value of a McIntire degree for all of the School’s graduates.”

Zeithaml noted that the support the School receives through the Annual Fund is critical to ensuring that it maintains its status as one of the world’s best business schools. “We spend our resources on recruiting outstanding faculty and staff, developing innovative curricula, supporting students with cutting-edge technology and superb career and counseling resources, and preparing them to make an immediate and positive contribution to business and society,” he said.

“Generations of students have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from McIntire’s unique approach to business education,” Zeithaml said. “The students, faculty, and staff of the Commerce School offer our sincere appreciation for the remarkable loyalty, support, and generosity of our friends and alumni. We look forward to working in partnership with the University and the entire McIntire community as we move forward and continue to build the world’s best and most innovative business programs.”

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