United Way to reveal ‘08 goal, kickoff campaign

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

This is the kind of campaign in which everyone can win and a college president will sound its kickoff keynote address.
United Way of Smyth County will launch its 2008 campaign Thursday, Sept. 11, with a noon luncheon at The Garden Party, 212 E. Main Street in Marion.
Emory & Henry College President Dr. Rosalind Reichard will speak to the gathering, said United Way Executive Director Susan Ferraro.
Following tradition, the campaign’s fund-raising goal will not be revealed until the kickoff that, to accommodate working people’s schedules, will have a duration of an hour or less, according to Ferraro. Randy Blevins will chair the campaign, she said.
Last year, United Way exceeded by $500 its $225,000 goal, she said. “General Dynamics pulled us out with an $11,000 corporate donation.”
While the goal remains to be unveiled, the need for United Way support is readily apparent as the cost of consumer goods and utilities have risen and more increases are expected.
“We’re real concerned,” Ferraro said. “Everything is on a downturn. One of the better factories has already told me they’re hoping to give half of last year’s contribution.”
Reichard was elected the 20th president of Emory & Henry College in 2006 following six years at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C., where she served as senior vice president and vice president for academic affairs and professor of mathematics.
Within her first three months in office at E&H, her official biography said, Reichard identified the need to renovate two of the college’s historic buildings, Byars Hall and Wiley Hall, and secured $10 million in financing necessary for these projects.
Reichard also is leading a campus-wide effort to develop a comprehensive facilities master plan that will guide the institution for the next 20 years. In addition, she has led the development of fund-raising plans that will generate the resources necessary to enhance the college’s athletic fields and facilities and to construct a new center for the arts.
Prior to her work at Meredith, Reichard served at Elon University in Elon, N.C., for 16 years, first as a faculty member and later as dean of science and mathematics. She holds a B.A. degree in mathematics from Harpur College SUNY Binghamton, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics from Michigan State University.
The public is welcome to attend the United Way campaign kickoff luncheon. The cost is $13 per person, and Ferraro said attendees must reserve a meal by calling 783-1028 or e-mailing by Sept. 8.