UK Students to Say 'Thank You' in a Big Way to University Donors

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2014) — As state funds become a smaller percentage of UK's overall budget, private gifts are becoming increasingly important to the university. And now UK students can say "thank you" to donors in a special way.

Thank-A-Donor Day is planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, when a large banner will be mounted on campus in the area between White Hall Classroom Building and the Ralph G. Anderson Building. Students can stop by and write a personal thank you note on the banner or make a short video recording of gratitude. Photos of the banner and a video of the event will be shared with UK donors via email at Thanksgiving.

The event is sponsored by UK Student Government and coordinated by the UK Office of Annual Giving to provide students the opportunity to show their appreciation for the impact donors make on them and the university as a whole.

“Last fiscal year, more than 53,000 donors gave gifts to UK,” said Anne V. Lichtenberg, Director of Annual Giving and a recent UK graduate. “And most of those gifts are having a direct impact on students – funding scholarships, improving campus facilities, strengthening academics and providing resources in the W.T. Young Library.”

"UK students have many reasons to say thanks," said SGA President Jake Ingram. "More than 85 percent of all UK undergraduate students receive scholarships or financial aid they do not have to repay – and a considerable amount of that is the result of private gifts. Philanthropy is also expanding the Gatton College facilities, helping provide a new student center and impacting student programming. I invite all UK students to join me in letting donors know that we appreciate what they are doing for us."

UK President Eli Capilouto also plans to sign the banner.

“Many of our donors were UK students at one time, paying tuition and other school expenses,” Lichtenberg added. “They give now to help today’s students follow in their footsteps in pursuit of an education at UK. It’s very natural for us to say thanks to people like this.”

One student was able to sign the banner before it goes up later this week. Chelsea St. Clair works in the Office of Annual Giving as an intern and wrote this message to donors: "Scholarship assistance is one of the main reasons I can attend the University of Kentucky and be as involved around campus as I am. Thank you for supporting me and making a difference in my life."

The rain location for Thank-A-Donor Day is the Student Center patio.

For more statistics on giving to UK visit http://uknow.uky.edu/sites/default/files/infographic_2-up_101614_0.pdf