Dear Madisonians and Spartans,

Throughout my more than two decades at James Madison College, I have been revitalized and renewed by the intellectual energy and commitment to students that we share as faculty and staff. Individually and collectively, we have devoted so much to making ours an exceptional place for undergraduates to learn and for us to work. In its annual drive, the University asks us to stretch a little further and to signal our continuing investment with a monetary contribution to the All University Campaign. I write to encourage you to join me in this effort on behalf of James Madison College.

A brief review of the giving opportunities suggests to me the values that we represent and endorse as a community: scholarships for students, enhancing diversity, encouraging meaningful field experience and study abroad experiences, affirming the continuing engagement of alumni with the next generation of Madisonians and the on-going dedication of faculty to scholarly and pedagogical development. There are multiple ways in which we can contribute and as many ways that our contributions will not only benefit the College and the University but also redound a little to each of us:

You can designate your gift directly to the program of your choice. Madison receives 100% of the gifts you make to a Madison fund. As the list below indicates, you can enhance students' opportunities in multiple ways through supporting the many scholarship and study abroad programs. Alternatively, you can glorify the great Dixie Platt or the infamous Dick Zinman, by designating a contribution to the scholarships named in their honor. And, you can strengthen your colleagues' possibilities for intellectual growth and scholarly contributions, by contributing to the Faculty Development Fund.

There are, of course, also the tax benefits of contributions which students of public affairs are sure to value. A gift of $400 annually to Madison can be put to work in our programs and save as much as $300 in state and federal taxes.

Payroll deductions are easy and almost painless. Just fill out the form on the website and the University will take care of the rest (and give you a full record at the end of the year!).

I hope you will join me in making a gift to the College this year. Your financial support of student scholarships, faculty development and educational programming will help us strengthen our ability to provide the very best in higher education.

Sincerely,

Katherine O'Sullivan See
Professor