Every year, about 29,000 donors give to support the University of Connecticut through a private gift. Some of them give because of a favorite professor. Others because they met their future spouse here. The reasons are as individual as the donors themselves, but all of these expressions of philanthropic vision help make the University of Connecticut stronger.
To all of our donors, thank you! Please take a moment and tell us why UConn matters to you!
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"I continue to cherish my UConn experience. Every year I get together with a group of alumni to root on our basketball team and play golf on the Vineyard. This has been going on for 20 years now. Excellent academics, tradition, and spirit…I would love to have my kids go to UConn." |
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"I gave support to the school of Pharmacy. It is said if you choose a career you really love, you never work a day in your life. This has been a most rewarding life. I also enjoyed my days at UConn and have fond memories." |
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"My education from UConn, particularly from the School of Dental Medicine and the Orthodontic Residency Program, has been life-changing. Aside from the personal rewards from such a fabulous career, I never realized the superior training that I received until I was in practice as an orthodontist. The basic science background and the critical thinking approach to problem solving has benefited my patients in the level of quality of care that I am able to deliver. I think that today's alumni, especially the younger alumni of UConn, need to realize that they can make a difference by giving. A gift can be of any size! Furthermore, gifts, not only of treasure, but of time and talent are appreciated. I also try to give back to UConn by volunteering as a clinical faculty member in the Orthodontic Residency Program. To me, that is one of the most rewarding gifts. I enjoy being able to help educate the next generation of care-givers, to see the enthusiasm of their spirit and to focus solely on the clinical aspect of orthodontics that I love so much. Thank you UConn!" |
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"My BFA from UConn has served me well the past 38 years and continues to pave the way for personal growth and creativity. I was granted a fine arts scholarship sponsored by Victor Borge, which made it possible for me to the first person in our large family to graduate from a four-year university. I am paying that opportunity forward. My niece is now a student at UConn carrying on the family tradition of excellence in education at an affordable cost. For this our family is most grateful." |
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“My mother is a fundraiser for a university and all of my life I have heard about how important it is to support schools and organizations that are important to you. UConn is an important part of my life. I am proud to be a Husky.” |
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"Our donation is based on the fact that our daughter Sarah graduated UConn this past May with a solid education and well-rounded preparedness for the job market. She secured a very good job quickly and will likely fast track to higher level positions with her background and education provided by UConn. Sarah's brother, Thomas, is also considering UConn, among several other schools, mainly from the feedback he has received from his sister on the outstanding education level and overall college experience there. Go Huskies!!” |
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"Simply stated, my experience at UConn was very positive and I am proud to be a UConn alumni. I am not able to give a lot right now but will continue to help as I can." |
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“UConn matters to me on many levels. For years now, I have been receiving personal health care in the form of mammograms, and now I am getting a dental implant. I can not praise enough the people who have touched my life through their commitment to excellence and caring hearts. My father, who recently passed away at the age of 87, was a huge UConn women's basketball fan. Their play brought much joy into his final years. But what touched me the most was that there was an oncology department that cared deeply for the life of one of my son's friends. Jonathan lost his battle a few years ago but he is not forgotten, nor is the care that he received. Thank you for all you do!” |
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"As unimportant as it may seem to many, the reason for our contributions to the University is largely motivated by trying to make a positive impact and impression on the young students who make the phone calls. And, while we wish we could afford to give larger amounts of support like we used to do when our two sons were attending UConn between 1990 and 1999, we also feel compelled to make equal annual contributions to further family alma maters, as well as human assistance services. Let's hope that the contributions we make to UConn help some striving young men and women complete their educations and become responsible, industrious, and personally successful additions to our nation's healthy and productive human resources.” |
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"We give to support the Parents Fund and the School of Business because our son is a current undergraduate in the School of Business. Our cousin graduated in 2009 and our middle son is applying in 2011. We feel so connected to the university and are proud to be a part of the UConn family. Go Huskies!!!" |
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"I established a scholarship fund for athlete scholars because my late husband, John, dearly loved UConn, even though he went to Cornell. He was a huge fan and we both believe(d) in giving scholarships to those who are really trying...The fund is named after him." |
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"I am a 1995 6th-year graduate from the Neag School of Education. Joe and Sally Renzulli were my dedicated professors and they are my heroes." |
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"The marching band deserves our enthusiastic support. It, more than anything on campus, defines the college football experience at UConn and in fact it represents the best of UConn to the world at large. The band must be adequately funded to meet its mission statement. It's also vital that its members look and sound like the first-class enterprise it constantly strives to be." |
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"UConn matters to me because we are a UConn family. My brother, Attorney Mark Quattro, graduated from UConn with a BA degree in Urban Studies and received a law degree from Georgetown Law School. My deceased husband, Attorney William J. Cook III, graduated from UConn with a BA degree in Political Science and received a law degree from Western New England School of Law. I received a BA degree in Urban Studies from UConn in 1981 and a MSW from the UConn School of Social Work in 1989. I have had a successful career as a licensed clinical social worker and am currently a sociology instructor at our local community college. My daughter, Alyssa Cook, is currently in her 4th year at UConn in Storrs. Words cannot adequately express the quality of the education she is receiving. She has taken full advantage of the many opportunities the campus offers as evidenced by her extensive involvement in several programs and organizations. She participated in the Summer Study Abroad Program in Florence, Italy in 2010. She had an amazing experience. We are forever grateful to Brian Usher in the Admissions Office for all of his help, as well as the secretarial staff for their help and guidance. Ross Lewin in the Study Abroad Office was also very helpful and we appreciated his effort and assistance. Lastly, my younger daughter, Christina, was accepted to UConn starting this year. UConn is a great school and my family can attest to that! Thank you, UConn!" |
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"Every year, on what was my UConn roommate's birthday, I make a donation to the memorial fund that was set up in her honor when she died at the age of 48. We were both the daughters of working-class parents and appreciated the fact that UConn provided us with a quality education that we could afford. I'm still proud to be a Husky and I know that Linda was too! Also, UConn provided me with a scholarship because I was a National Merit semi-finalist. By giving to Linda's memorial fund, I know that I'm helping another deserving student pay for college." |
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"This is the first time that I have given specifically to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I probably wouldn't have completed UConn on time if it wasn't for the dedication, care and concern of Assistant Dean Gloria Brine. For me, UConn wasn't a faceless, nameless experience—there were many who helped me along the way—but Dean Brine will always hold a special place in my heart!” |
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"I support UConn through philanthropy whenever I can, in the past becoming a lifetime member of the UConn Alumni Association and purchasing a paver in Husky Plaza, because without my degree and fine education from UConn I would have never become the successful businessperson and well-educated human being I am today and I want others to have that opportunity to be able to afford it too.” |
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“The Neag School of Education's Husky Sport program is making a real and lasting difference in Hartford Public Schools and in the lives of young people who attend those schools. I wanted to support the students who give their time and energy.” |
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"Having three children who are currently going through the college admissions process reminded me of what an important role UConn has played in my life and made me feel compelled to give back to the place that rewarded me not only with a love for learning, but with many lifelong friendships and memories that continue to make me smile. I chose to give a $100 donation at this time because that is the amount of a greatly appreciated scholarship that was given to me as a senior in high school facing the daunting task of putting myself through the school of my dreams-UConn- for the next four years. I worked every school break, took advantage of the work-study programs offered to me and the grants and federal student loans and achieved my dream of graduating, but I'll never forget that extra boost of confidence that $100 from the Kiwanis Club gave me when I needed it most." |
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"I give throughout the years because UConn provided me with a work scholarship when I had no place to turn. In my senior year, my parents were having a difficult time financially and this scholarship enabled me to finish my degree and build a successful career in the math and computer science field." |
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"My donation goes to support the reading efforts of the students at Clark, Martin Luther King, SAND and Wish Schools in Hartford. Husky Sport empowers and helps the growth of children, teens and the overall betterment of families in Hartford. Since Husky Sport interlocks their programs and services with partners it puts them in a position to work even more effectively at enhancing the lives of the people they help. Additionally, I admire the growing efforts of Husky Sport and their hard working graduate assistant staff, like Brittany Perotti, who give so much of their time with an open heart." |
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"Dr. Mills and Marvin McNeill are exemplary motivators and instructors for the bands. My daughter, Kate, has enjoyed 5+ years participating in band events. Her experiences continue to be "instrumental" now that she is a music educator herself." |
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"I have made a donation to help others access one of the best summer school and on-campus residential programs in Gifted Education in the world. I travelled from Australia to complete my Masters and Doctoral Programs in Gifted Education through summer schools, confratutes, and on-campus study at the Storrs Campus. Students, staff and graduates became members of Joe and Sally's, UConn, Gifted Education "family." The great social program, Huskies and ice cream made the rigorous, Gifted Education Program a major highlight in my life and contributed strongly to the success of my career."
Harry Milne, MA ’96 PhD ‘01 |
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"I am privileged to be an alumnus of a great nursing program that has prepared me to practice the art of nursing in a great prenatal setting. I wish all the nursing students success in their nursing career." |
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"I give to make sure that other students have the chance to grow like I did during my years at UConn. I became the woman I am today because of my experiences there and can only hope that others have the same opportunity." |
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"We are proud graduates of UConn, having earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees there. To support an institution where the experiences we gained there shaped our careers and lives is an honor and privilege. Being students at UConn was a great experience for both of us and we strongly support the role of private giving as one way of 'giving back." |
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"I donated to the marching band and the Museum of Natural History. These are two organizations that I really appreciate and believe the University should too. The Museum is a wonderful addition to our campus, and helps tell part of the story of the state of Connecticut and should be supported. And, as a member of the marching band, I can personally attest to the amount of effort and enthusiasm the organization has for supporting UConn and making sure that everyone knows what it means to be a UConn Husky! I love UConn!! It has given me so much, and I wanted to give back : )" |
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"I give in gratitude for the life-changing experience of wonderful friends, fine professors, and the Army ROTC commission which gave me a rich and purposeful career of 24+ yrs. More importantly, a fellow officer introduced me to my wife, who remains my best friend through wartime separations, 3 sons, and 8 grandkids." |
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"My daughter is currently a student in the nursing program and my son recently graduated from UConn. Every year we are continually impressed by the quality of the education and the student and faculty community. Both of our students have had a very positive experience at UConn." |
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"My husband, Paul ( ’80, MS ’82 ENG) and I give to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the School of Engineering, on alternate years. We met at UConn, and are proud to contribute to our alma mater. Our son graduated from UConn in May, 2010 (CLAS), and our daughter is now a sophomore (CANR). This year we are designating our gift for the Dept. of Pathobiology and Veterinary Sciences. It is what I studied at UConn, and happens to also be what our daughter is studying. I believe it's important to support education because the students are our future!" |
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"Members of my immediate family have attended UConn and received the following degrees: My spouse: Masters of Science in Nursing (1982). Son #1: B.S. from UConn Storrs (2007) and in May, 2011 a D.M.D. from UConn School of Dental Medicine. Son #2: B.S from UConn Business School (2009). Son #3: Presently attends UConn Business School (Class of 2012). Son #4, is a junior in high school and UConn is his first choice for a university to attend after graduation. We hope to continue the tradition. UConn is a great educational institution and we are very grateful that our family members have has the opportunity to attend. It is not necessary to attend an Ivy league institution for a school to open doors for its graduates. My spouse has enjoyed a satisfying and lucrative career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for the last 28 years. Son #1 will start his career as a dentist after May, 2011. In July, 2011 he will start his dental residency as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Son #2 was inducted as an undergraduate student into the UConn School of Business Hall of Fame and was hired in 2009 after graduation as an Operations Analyst by Citigroup (when it was almost impossible to obtain a job after the financial crisis started in 2008). Son #3 is presently attending a semester abroad in Florence, Italy, another opportunity afforded by attending UConn. Thank you UConn!!!!" |
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"I am an employee of the University AND a current student. As a member of the University of Connecticut community, and as an employee of the State of Connecticut, I feel it is important to give back. I feel proud and privileged to be part of UConn. I gave this time, because in addition to paycheck deductions, the amount was small, and it was focused on an inspirational event for the University." |
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"I give to support UConn because it was at UConn that I learned to be a critical thinker, a skill that has helped me throughout my professional life." |
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"I give to support the work of the Korey Stringer Institute and Dr. Casa. I am a certified athletic trainer and I am very passionate about spreading the knowledge of the risk of exertional heat illness. I hope that Korey's legacy helps to change the mindset of athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, and athletic directors so that no more athletes have to lose their life because proper precautions, education and treatment were not provided." |
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"I am constantly surprised at how useful the basics of critical scientific thinking I learned at UConn have applied to fields I never dreamed I would be in. Not to mention a few interesting, but cautionary, tales of life outside the strictly academic sphere of college life! I was contacted by an extremely nice person from the Foundation and met with her in the summer. I had no pressure to give from her—just an interest in how my UConn years have influenced my life. It was very refreshing." |
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"I give so that current and future students can be part of great organizations such as the marching band while receiving a spectacular education. My time at UConn was unforgettable and I want future generations to have an amazing experience as I did, if not better!" |
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"I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry at UConn. It has shaped my professional life and inspired me to share the excitement of a career in science/technology with middle and high school students." (photo, right) |
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"I chose to give back to the Accounting department as the education I received has been a foundation for me in my career in business. The program enabled me to get started in public accounting immediately after graduation due to the quality reputation of the Accounting curriculum at UConn." |
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"During the fall and winter of 1996-97, I was treated for IBC, inflammatory breast carcinoma, at the UConn Health Center with chemotherapy, surgery and a stem cell transplant. The physicians and staff in all departments were superb. Trust in them gave me the courage I needed to win my battle. I want to see others be given the same chance in life through stem cell research at UConn." |
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"I am eternally grateful for all that was done for my late cousin-in-law Jon at the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center. He was treated for melanoma. He was a wonderful, inspiring man whom my cousin Claire and all of us loved dearly." |
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"I know first-hand how effective the community outreach program is, and am proud to support it—even with this meager donation. It expands the world of our students, broadening their perspective, boundaries, and view of the world in all corners of the world. Contributions to it enable more students to participate in more diverse programs. This is a terrific program and a very important part of our university." (Photo: UConn students during the 2006 Winter Break Trip to hurricane-battered New Orleans) |
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"Our daughter came in as a second-year transfer student. From the very beginning of the process, we were so impressed with all the great individuals that we came in contact with. Our daughter is very happy at the school. Studying hard and playing hard, just the way college should be. We believe in giving to organizations that are making a difference and we believe you are one of those organizations. Keep up the good work." |
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"I received such an excellent education at UConn, I feel compelled to give back, to in a small way help future UConn students. Living far away from UConn now, I feel an even deeper sense of Husky pride, and am proud of where I came from, and I want to give back to the school. Go Huskies!" |
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“UConn was the #1 choice for our son, Joshua, when he began his college search. We researched many institutions that met his academic goals, and UConn always met his standards of excellence. When Joshua received many acceptance letters, he naturally chose UConn. We all did the "victory dance" after the decision was made. Our family went to the open house in Trumbull. Every person on the UConn staff, faculty, and administration was extremely helpful. Additionally, [Vice President for Enrollment Planning and Management] Lee Melvin (photo, left), the "face" and voice of UConn, assured through his speech that UConn was the perfect choice for our son. After several more UConn sessions, we heard Mr. Melvin speak, and each time his passion for UConn assured our family that UConn is THE place to be. I must add that my husband and I thoroughly enjoy visiting UConn's Storrs campus. GO UCONN!" |
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"[I give] because of the personal growth. Because UConn prepared me for my great career in hospital pharmacy administration. Because I made friends I still have today. Because I have great memories of the UConn Husky Marching Band and its 1970 summer trip to Europe."
Marc Summerfield, Class of 1974 |
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"I give because the Communication Department at UConn believed in me, supported me, encouraged me, and cheered for me the entire time I was a graduate student there, even though there were moments when I did very little to deserve it. My personal and professional growth in the time since I graduated from UConn in 2006 is a testament to the passion, drive, and commitment of the faculty and staff at the Communication Department. Any student would be lucky to have the opportunity to be part of such an engaging, dynamic, exciting, if somewhat eccentric, academic department. A special nod to Drs. Buck, Hamilton, Cope-Farrar, and VanLear at the Department - people who lead by example and make us all proud to be a Communication Sciences alumnus." Sripriya Rangarajan, Class of 2006 Donor |
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