We Care We Count Campaign Committee

Special thanks to UNT's outstanding 2010-2011 Faculty & Staff Giving
Campaign Committee!

Christina Aguilar
Director of Marketing and Communications, College of Business

Since I stepped foot on campus two years ago, I've felt there was a spirit of change at UNT. In my role, I am able to meet students from all walks of life. No matter their background, they always have one thing in common—they are here to succeed.

This committee helps our students realize their potential. Whether you give to a scholarship or student activities, you are making a long-lasting investment in the university and in our students. By giving back to UNT, I feel proud that I have done my part to make this a better place.

Wade Anthony
IT Specialist, CITC

I love working at UNT! So many wonderful people here have touched my life, both students and co-workers. I am also an alum and my service to UNT gives me a chance to play a part in making this the great institution that it is. I'm able to work with students, professors and other staff toward the goal of making this university even better.

I serve on the Faculty and Staff Campaign committee because I give to UNT and I want other faculty and staff to know how much good just a little bit can do for students and UNT as a whole.

I give to the Phonathon Scholarship because I really believe that the students who make those calls are setting the ground work for UNT's overall future fundraising success and well being. Without the work of these students, many people would never know that UNT needed private support. Staff and faculty support of our university is critical to communicating this message to all those who can and will help UNT become even greater.

Dreanna Belden
Assistant Dean for External Relations, Libraries

I give because I believe in the mission of the Libraries. We have a phenomenal leadership group and an innovative staff who are redefining what it means to be a library in the 21st century.

I choose to donate to UNT because of the impact it has had on me, my family and the community. By serving on the committee I intend to do all I can to help UNT meet its campaign goals. Nobody works at a university to make their fortune; we do it because we're making the world a better place.

Jaime Blanton
Coordinator of Orientation and Transition Programs – Parents, Student Affairs

Through my work with parents, I spend a great deal of time communicating with the families of our incoming students about the many world-class academic and co-curricular programs and services UNT has to offer. I tell them how much the UNT community cares about helping students both realize their full potential and work toward their academic, personal and professional success.

I serve as a member of the We Care We Count committee because I passionately believe that while we each support our students by offering our time and talents to the university, we add another layer of meaning to our commitment by giving.

I give because I'm not confident that we can count on state and federal funding to provide the resources we need to serve the needs of our students. I give because I have seen the real difference scholarships make for UNT's families. I give because I know campus engagement opportunities such as Eagle Camp and Alternative Spring Break change students' lives. And, I give because the families of our students are counting on us.

Mary Beth Butler
Director, Communications/UNT-International

UNT is a fabulous place for students. We do a great job of getting to know our students as people, not numbers. I am committed to international education as the best hope for a peaceful future for our world.

I serve on the committee because I give to something I am passionate about, and I want to encourage others to find something to support that they feel similarly passionate about. Reaching the campaign goals this year means that, even in hard times, UNT staff and faculty are contributing toward making this a better place.

Working on a university campus affords a myriad opportunities that could never be found elsewhere. I'm committed to helping make UNT a better place every year.

Jim Coffey
Captain, UNT Police Department

I often joke that I bleed green! UNT has always been a part of my life. I am born and raised in Denton County and grew up living close to campus. My grandparents lived on Chestnut Street, so as a kid, I rode my bike all over campus.

I'm serving on this committee because I am proud of UNT and want everyone else to be proud of UNT. There is no place I would rather work at or be! The faculty and staff campaign is important to the foundation of UNT, to its future and to our community as a whole. I want to make sure that I'm doing all I can to insure that we (UNT) are as strong as we can be!

Lea Dopson
Chair and Associate Professor, Hospitality Management

I choose to work at UNT because of the outstanding reputation of the hospitality management program. The quality of education we provide makes me proud to be part of the UNT community.

I serve on the WeCare WeCount Committee because I think it's important to help academic departments find ways to enhance the education they provide by giving to important initiatives.

I give back to the university because as a student many years ago, I was helped by a faculty member who gave scholarship money. I see it as my privilege and honor to pay it forward.

Toby Faber
Senior Academic Counselor in the College of Information

I find advising undergraduate and graduate students to be very satisfying, and I am a firm believer in the efficacy of education.

I serve on the We Care We Count committee because it is a way for me to help UNT reach its goals. I see how my participation directly affects the Faculty and Staff campaign goals by simply letting my college know of the initiative.

It's important to give back because it means contributing to a civilized and educated society.

Denise Harpool
Administrative Assistant, Facilities

My mother was a teacher here at UNT for thirty years and my dad worked in Facilities the last years of his career. Being born and raised in Denton, the university was always a big part of my life. I came to Homecoming as a child and always attended football and basketball games with my mother (one of UNT's biggest fans—she is 89 and rarely misses a football or basketball game).

UNT is a wonderful place to work at. I enjoy the daily contact I have with faculty and staff, and I hope we can help students learn and become great people in the future.

I have served on the Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign committee since its inception, hoping to get the word out that it is great to give back to the university anyway you can. My fellow committee members have strived to do their part by making their own gifts and using their creativity and talent to find ways to tell people that giving promotes UNT and helps increase gifts from outside donors.

Anissa Irby
Accountant, Budget Office

Working at UNT in the Budget Office for the past four years has given me a solid understanding of why it is so important to give back. Students need financial support to be able to pursue their education and succeed in life.

I give to UNT because it is very important for student to have a quality education and with so many cut backs, every dollar will make a huge impact on our next generation.

Giving back to UNT just makes sense and I want to make a difference.

Jim Morrow
Regents Professor, Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation

Teaching at UNT offers me great opportunities to work with valued colleagues and students.

Giving back to universities is an important function. We should all feel proud to be a part of an institution that is impacting society. Our support to UNT is a reflection of the opportunities provided by this university, and achieving our campaign giving goals means that "We Care We Are UNT!"

Many of us received support as undergraduate and graduate students. It is time to "pay it forward."

Dee Ray
Associate Professor, Counseling Program; Director, Child and Family Resource Clinic

As a teacher, I see the difference UNT makes for each student who is fortunate enough to gain an education at UNT. As director of a UNT-supported clinic that serves the mental health needs of low-income community members, every day I see the difference that UNT makes not only for students, but also in the local community.

I give to UNT because we are working on changing our world at the local and global level. Through research, education and advocacy, UNT drives change for our community, our state, our nation and our world. It is an honor to be a part of the annual giving committee because I believe in faculty and staff commitment to a purpose beyond ourselves.

Renee Sims
Assistant Director II, Purchasing and Payment Services

Since I can't afford to be a career student, I figure working at a university is the next best thing. Because I work in a support function I am exposed to people from every discipline, doctrine, and area of study. It thrills me to know that I'm interacting with people who inspire higher thinking and self discovery.

Before joining UNT, my background was in not-for-profit management. I know that the best argument to encourage others to become involved is to make a gift yourself. I believe that it's not the amount of the gift that sends the strongest message, but rather the number of people who care enough to make a gift.

I like how it feels to play an active role in helping others. Making a contribution through the Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign gives me that feeling. When I see something great happening at UNT, I feel confident in knowing that although indirect, I had a part in making it happen!

Caesar Wood
Associate Director, Recreational Sports

I have been at UNT since 1998. I enjoy working with my staff and my job is ever changing which brings a lot of challenges. In addition, UNT has given me personal and professional growth while working at the best place on campus—Rec Sports. Being able to offer students a place to grow and stay fit is awesome!

Serving on the campaign committee allows me to encourage my co-workers, and hopefully others on campus, to give back so our future students will have a great place to go to school. It's important to increase the number of faculty and staff who give back each year so we all can flourish!

I give back because I want to give to a place that has given me so much, and I want UNT to reach the goal of being a Tier I research university. Every donation helps to achieve this goal!

Audra Yarborough
Admissions Counselor- Honors Recruitment Coordinator/ Undergraduate Admissions

As a student at UNT, I worked as an Eagle Ambassador, an experience that strengthened my love for the university. After graduating, I didn't think that I would return to work here again. When I heard about an opportunity to come back, I jumped at the chance to be on campus again, surrounded by people who feel the same way about this place that I do!

Serving on the Faculty & Staff Giving Campaign committee helped clear up my own misconceptions about the campaign, and I now realize how vital it is to give back. I love that employees have the option to give to ANY area of campus they feel passionate about. I can make a difference in a specific area I care about, and that's powerful to me.

I think everyone has their own reason for giving back to the university. I give to the Mean Green Club because as a recruiter going out to college fairs, I see how well other universities are known because of their athletic programs. I want UNT to be known and respected all over the country, and I believe that athletics plays a large part in getting us there. Besides that, as a big Mean Green basketball fan I LOVE going to the games!