Our campus success over the past year continues to be directly related to your support of our mission and goals. While we continue to advance our main goals of research and access, we also continue to sustain our external campaign of supporting community through campus giving. Our State and University Employees Combined Giving Campaign (SECC) creates and continues partnerships and linkages with the community.  

The 2008 campaign, like so many other years, was successful in passing our goal by raising approximately $160,000. This was the result of coordinating efforts by our retired faculty, special campus events, and general donations. UWM contributions represent almost 75% of the total campaign, and we should all be very proud that we continuously rise to the challenge to make our goal.

I believe we are ready to challenge ourselves again, and to provide the same, if not higher, amount to our greater Milwaukee area community non-profits. Many, incidentally, are engaged in important research and volunteer efforts with our University. We respond to this challenge by supporting the 2009 UWM Gives to Community campaign, which runs from October 5, 2009, to November 20, 2009.  

What's the good news? You are already registered to participate in the SECC campaign.

All staff and faculty are eligible to make their gift through a confidential process. As in the past, you can target your donation to any of the hundreds of agencies described in the enclosed booklet. Your division/department coordinator will ensure that you receive the appropriate forms, which you will return in a sealed envelope.  

I invite you to keep track of all SECC events, weekly incentive prize drawings, and other information by clicking on the SECC link at www.uwm.edu. Please feel free to contact Dr. Joan Prince, who is leading the 2009 campaign, at jprince@uwm.edu or 414-229-3101 with any questions.

Thank you for considering my request to support the 2009 SECC campaign. By taking part in this process, you will again be of assistance to those who most need our help. Let's continue to be the ones who understand "This is Our Time to Make a Change!"

Sincerely,

Carlos E. Santiago
Chancellor