For the 36th year in a row, Statesboro and Bulloch County opened up pockets and poured forth an impressive sum of money for A Day for Southern.
While not quite reaching the goal, $1,275,989 isn't a bad day's haul.
A Day for Southern volunteers enjoyed a reception at the Georgia Southern University Nessmith Lane Building Tuesday evening before announcing the total raised through the fundraising event. Guest enjoyed wine and an open bar, punch, and hors d'oeuvres such as braised beef on goat cheese polenta, fruit tarts, petit fours, smoked salmon and dill on toast and crudites.
Several volunteers, including A Day for Southern 2009 chairman Steve Rushing, GSU President Dr. Bruce Grube, faculty chairman Dr. David Dudley and staff chairperson Charlotte Parrish Woody, lined up, each holding a numbered sign. At the signal, they flipped the signs simultaneously, showing the total collected.
The amount was the third largest total raised in the campaign's 36-year history, said GSU spokesman Christian Flathman.
"The most impressive thing is during these very difficult times, the generosity of this community once again shines through," Grube said. "We were absolutely overwhelmed at the funds that were brought in for A Day For Southern this year. It was a much larger number than we thought was possible in such poor economic times.
"It's the kind of relationship that our community and university have built during our 103 years of working together,” he said. “Given the difficult economy, the show of support for the university and its students by the Statesboro and Bulloch County community has been incredible."
"I'm ecstatic," Woody said. "It's absolutely amazing to really see the hearts of people opened up in this small community. People made a decision to give in spite of the fact (that the economy is depressed) ... and they have taken the time to find an opportunity to give."
The annual 'A Day for Southern' campaign helps meet the needs that state funds do not cover. Proceeds go to the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. and the Eagle Fund to support both academic and athletic programs at the University, Flathman said.
In the 2009 campaign, Bulloch County's business and professional community along with Georgia Southern University faculty and staff donated more than $1 million to the University for the 12th straight year.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers 115 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia's largest, is a top choice of Georgia's HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.
While not quite reaching the goal, $1,275,989 isn't a bad day's haul.
A Day for Southern volunteers enjoyed a reception at the Georgia Southern University Nessmith Lane Building Tuesday evening before announcing the total raised through the fundraising event. Guest enjoyed wine and an open bar, punch, and hors d'oeuvres such as braised beef on goat cheese polenta, fruit tarts, petit fours, smoked salmon and dill on toast and crudites.
Several volunteers, including A Day for Southern 2009 chairman Steve Rushing, GSU President Dr. Bruce Grube, faculty chairman Dr. David Dudley and staff chairperson Charlotte Parrish Woody, lined up, each holding a numbered sign. At the signal, they flipped the signs simultaneously, showing the total collected.
The amount was the third largest total raised in the campaign's 36-year history, said GSU spokesman Christian Flathman.
"The most impressive thing is during these very difficult times, the generosity of this community once again shines through," Grube said. "We were absolutely overwhelmed at the funds that were brought in for A Day For Southern this year. It was a much larger number than we thought was possible in such poor economic times.
"It's the kind of relationship that our community and university have built during our 103 years of working together,” he said. “Given the difficult economy, the show of support for the university and its students by the Statesboro and Bulloch County community has been incredible."
"I'm ecstatic," Woody said. "It's absolutely amazing to really see the hearts of people opened up in this small community. People made a decision to give in spite of the fact (that the economy is depressed) ... and they have taken the time to find an opportunity to give."
The annual 'A Day for Southern' campaign helps meet the needs that state funds do not cover. Proceeds go to the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc. and the Eagle Fund to support both academic and athletic programs at the University, Flathman said.
In the 2009 campaign, Bulloch County's business and professional community along with Georgia Southern University faculty and staff donated more than $1 million to the University for the 12th straight year.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers 115 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia's largest, is a top choice of Georgia's HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.