Tuskegee University News January 19, 2016 Successful online alumni General Fund appeal brings critical lighting improvements to campus Thanks to the combined contributions of alumni in Tuskegee University's online General Fund appeal, the university will be able to make crucial upgrades to campus lighting which will dramatically improve campus attractiveness as well as address vital student safety. The online effort, tabbed as the "Light the Way" appeal, brought in $275,000 in unrestricted funds in 2015. These funds are being combined with the $265,000 that was raised in Tuskegee's inaugural online General Fund appeal last year, bringing in a total of $540,000 which will allow the necessary improvements to be made. Work on the project has already begun. The lighting improvements include repairing and replacing existing exterior bulbs and light fixtures, and replacing standard halogen bulbs with LED fixtures. Mr. Marcus Dean, Interim Vice President of Capital Projects and Facilities Services, was encouraged by the support and optimistic about its timeline: "The Division of the Capital Projects and Facilities Services is pleased with the current progress of this project. Much work has already gone into the improving the lighting infrastructure in locations where lighting was non-functional. Progress is currently underway in the Western section of campus including the West Commons and Luther Foster Hall parking lot. The project is still tracking for a June 2016 completion." President Brian L. Johnson was grateful for the demonstration of alumni support: "We are very grateful for the many donations in both spring 2015 and winter 2015 during this lighting appeal. These online giving campaigns are historic in that it is the first in the institution's history. Most importantly, the online appeals are addressing specific facilities' and campus priorities that our students need." Tuskegee University re-established its General Fund in 2014-15, and it serves as the university's most important fund for its alumni and constituents to support, as it allows Tuskegee to use the support immediately where it is needed most. In this case, the university has been able to address an important campus lighting need. Additionally, alumni participation in supporting the fund every year with a gift of any size has a huge effect on whether transformative funders decide to support the university. In fact, annual support of the General Fund symbolizes trust in the university even more than a larger restricted gift. Tuskegee's General Fund appeal is made twice a year, from November 1 to January 1, and then again in the spring, from March 1 to May 1. Robert Blakely, Vice President for Advancement and Development, was heartened by the clear demonstration of alumni trust and support of Tuskegee University's trajectory: "What we're continuing to see is that our alumni believe in our vision to improve the university. Here, they have made unrestricted gifts to the General Fund, trusting that Tuskegee University will put these funds to use where they will help Tuskegee the most. We hope that they will think about this when they are on campus, and witness these modern improvements to campus lighting. And we hope they'll keep this in mind when we launch our next General Fund appeal. We're deeply grateful for what our alumni have done for our students." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-592-4820 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.