University Times

Pitt missed its goal for this year's United Way campaign, but still managed to beat last year's total by more than $5,000, making the campaign one of the best in University history.

Campaign organizers had been hoping to collect $435,000. Instead, they ended up with a total of $421,195, which still was more than any other non-profit entity in the Pittsburgh area.

During the 1995 campaign, Pitt collected $415,922.

Overall, the United Way of Western Pennsylvania collected $35,364,432. Its 1996 goal was $36,350,000.

Of Pitt's total, $68,486 came from the administration, $119,963 from the provost area, $221,465 from the health sciences, $10,746 from retirees and $535 from students.

About 38 percent of Pitt employees participated in the campaign. The average gift by participant was $128.38 and the per capita gift average was $48.50.

Departments with five or more employees that had 100 percent participation were: Office of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Alumni Relations, Special Events, Athletics, Controller/Treasurer, Cost Accounting and Analysis, Mailing Services, Central Business Services, Copy Center, University Graphics and Marketing, University Printing, the ID Center, The Book Center, The Pitt Stop, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Falk School, the dean's office and student affairs in the School of Information Sciences, College of Business Administration, the East Asian collection in Hillman Library, nursing in the Learning Resource Center, and the University Child Development Center. The physicians' campaign led by Daniel Edelstone, a faculty member in the School of Medicine, saw a 21 percent increase in leadership gifts of $1,000 or more. Edelstone's efforts were recognized in November when he was presented with the "Dr. 'Bones' McCoy Award" (named after the Star Trek doctor) for his "enterprising" efforts during the campaign.

Edelstone also became the Pitt's first Alexis de Tocqueville Society member. Membership in the honorary society is awarded to individuals who have made contributions of $10,000 or more to the United Way.

Pitt's United Way newsletter was awarded an honorable mention by the Printing Industry Association of Western Pennsylvania. The newsletter was created by University Graphics and Marketing, under director Michelle Garraux, who also is the communications coordinator for Pitt's United Way campaign, and University Printing under Steve McGill.

During the United Way's annual meeting on Feb. 18, Chancellor Mark Nordenberg was named to the United Way of Western Pennsylvania's Board of Directors. Also at the meeting, Pitt also was presented with a silver award in recognition of its per capita giving total.

In addition, several unions with Pitt locals were recognized for their efforts during the campaign, including: Construction General Laborers Local 373, International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 95 and 95A, Laborers International Union of North America Local 373, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 5, International Brotherhood of Painters-Allied Trades (Painters Local 6), Carpenters District Council of Western Pennsylvania, Sheet Metal Workers International Association Union 12, Service Employees International Union Local 29, Teamsters Local 249 and the Pittsburgh Police Association.