Giving campaign raises nearly $80,000 to support students

MAY 12, 2020 — A UTSA campaign raised close to $80,000 to help students faced with challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. In less than two weeks the university community rallied and exceeded the Chancellor’s Challenge goal by 217%. The funds will help pay for students’ crucial academic needs, including food supplies, tech equipment, health and mental counseling services and other necessities.

President Taylor Eighmy launched the challenge in response to a $25,000 contribution allocated by UT System Chancellor James Milliken from the Chancellor’s Council and the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee. The goal was to at least match the chancellor’s funds, but it was more than doubled by the 350 donors who contributed.

“Roadrunner Nation stepped up and we were able to bring in an exceptional amount of emergency assistance for UTSA students,” said Eighmy. “I am profoundly grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from our community of alumni and friends. I especially want to thank Chancellor Milliken for leading the way.”

Between April 23 and May 5 the community came together to successfully complete the special fundraising campaign. The effort brought in a total of $79,476 for student emergency funds and culminated on Giving Tuesday Now—a day dedicated to raising funds globally to address needs caused by the pandemic.

The generosity of alumni, faculty, staff and community friends will support five different emergency funds for students in need due to the pandemic:

• The Student Tech Fund is used to provide computers so that students can continue their classes online. Enough was raised to provide computers to eight students in need.
  
  
• Roadrunner Pantry provides food and personal care items. There have been about 800 visits to the pantry since late March.
  
  
• The Veteran and Military Affairs Emergency Fund provides for emergency needs for our students who are affiliated with the military.
  
  
• The Fostering Educational Success Center assists students who are particularly vulnerable to this crisis because of a history of foster care. More than $18,000 has been raised for this fund since mid-March.
  
  
• The Student Emergency Fund provides grants to help students stay enrolled with needs that cannot be covered with other sources of support. More than 120 students have received grants since mid-March. The grants have provided for a variety of assistance, such as food, prescriptions, copayments for mental health care and repair of a student’s hearing aid. The challenge brought in an additional $36,200 for the fund.

Gifts ranged from $1 to several thousand dollars, with leadership-level gifts received from 13th Avenue Funding and the Greehey Family Foundation. Additionally, many in the UTSA community participated by spreading the word on social media.

“During these challenging times, I am heartened by the fact that our Roadrunner family cares so deeply about the well-being of our students and the future of our community,” Eighmy said. “The donors to the Chancellor’s Challenge answered our call to give struggling UTSA students hope at the time when they need it most. I guarantee that generosity will leave a lasting legacy.”

— Heather Green