view . fall 2014
15
Participating in theUniversityof
Windsor’scampaignphonathon
hasgivenMalakNigmaasense
of accomplishment.
Abusiness studentwhowill
graduate this fall, shehadexperienceasa telemarketerbefore she
joined theAnnualGivingCampaign team inherfirst yearat the
University.
“Itwasa littlechallengingatfirst,” saysNigma, picturedabove.
“Youhave tobuildaconnection inavery short time.”
However, she soon found sheenjoyed the job. “It’sahuge reward
when someonedonates. Itmakesyou feel likeyou’remakinga
difference.”
A recipientof scholarshipsandbursariesherself, shehasseenfirst-
hand thebenefitsconferredbydonors. “University isverycostly, from
textbooks to tuition.Whenyouareable to receivesupport tohelpwith
theseexpenses, it isso important.Nothaving tostressaboutmoney
freesyou todobetter inyourstudies.”
For that reason,Nigma says that shewashappy to join fellow
students incallingalumni andother supportersduring thephonathon.
“It’sall aboutmaking someone feel valued. I alwaysbelieved that
letting themknow theyaremakingadifference isahuge thing.”
Shehadmanyconversationswithgraduates from theOdetteSchool
of Business. “They’resoexcited tospeak tocurrentstudents.They like
tosharewhere theireducationhas taken them.”
Ithasgivenherabroadviewof careerpathsopen toher, aswell
as insight intoUniversityoperations. “Thecallingcampaignhas such
an impacton thecampusexperience. Seeinghow
muchpeopleenjoydonating remindsyou that it’s
acircle—you seepeoplegivebackandyouwant
todo itonceyou’ve startedyourowncareer.”
Theannual phonathondoesmore than
fuel giving, saysPatti Lauzon, directorof alumni anddonor
communications. “Reachingout toourgraduates iskey toour success
asan institutionon somany levels.The student callershaveachance
to learnaboutwhatourgradsareup to, and thealumni always
appreciateanopportunity to speakwithcurrent students.”
Lauzon says that regular contactwithgraduatesall over theworld
isan importantway to sustaina senseof community through the
entirealumni family. “TheLancerexperiencedoesn’t endwhenyou
graduate.We’re soproudof ouralumni,most especially thosewho
stayconnected to letusknowabout the impact theyaremaking in
theirprofessionsand in their communities.
“And, of course,weappreciate thosewho support the school,
whether it’sbymentoringa student, turningout at analumni reunion,
donating toa scholarship fund, or justdisplaying theirpride in their
almamater.”
DevelopmentofficerMonaDosenhassetagoal of raising
$500,000 in thisyear’sphonathon,whichwill run fromSeptember
throughNovember.
“Our team is looking forward tospeakingwithUWindsorgraduates,
followingon theheelsof our50thanniversarycelebrations,”Dosensays.
“Ihope thateveryone luckyenough togetacall fromourstudents
enjoyssharingsomememoriesof theirexperiencehereoncampus.”
BYKEVINJOHNSON
THECIRCLEOFGIVING
2013-14AnnualGivingProgram
