News Releases
5/8/06
The Champ! Marketing Senior Annie Truong has raised almost $190,000 for KU.
Remember "The $6 Million Man?"
If you're of the right age -- that's a decidedly baby boomer age -- you'll know the TV show about a super-human agent.
Hero Steve Austin has been off the air for decades. Today, though, KU's own student superheroes are connecting with alumni and bringing in millions for scholarships for their fellow students and KU programs.
Last fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2005, the students raised $1.01 million by calling KU alumni. So far this fiscal year, they have raised $1.5 million in pledges.
Called "Jaytalkers," the 50 students are employed by KU Endowment's Telefund program. On any given evening, 24 of the students, who range from freshmen to seniors, will speak with alumni from all over the world. They update alumni on the latest university news, make certain the graduates' addresses and other information are correct and ask for gifts in support of KU.
Two-thirds of the students stay with the job for more than one semester. A few like marketing senior Annie Truong and journalism/religious studies junior Charley Forsyth have raised more than $100,000. Other students who have reached this milestone include seniors Nicole Taylor, Ashley Bond and Sarah Connelly.
Truong is the champ, having raised $189,784 as of April 20 to help her fellow students and support the university. Forsyth brought in $148,832 by that date.
Lindsay Byers, associate director of annual giving and Telefund director, said she and the program's student managers work to keep students motivated by making their shifts fun. One of the ways they do that is by having theme nights l ike "bad hair" night, and even semester themes, which have included everything from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to 70's game shows.
The best night for calling? That's easy, Byers said.
The money flows from enthusiastic alumni when KU plays Missouri in basketball on a Sunday in winter -- and wins. Luckily, victories over Mizzou are a frequent occurrence.
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