Advance West.

Go West. It changes everything.

Fall 2014

Advance West.

Howdy!

Welcome to the first quarterly newsletter for our division. University Advancement is simultaneously the smallest division at UWG yet the most visible one. People watch us daily, whether they are our co-workers at the university or our friends in the community, state and region. Because of that visibility, much is expected of us.

Several wonderful things have already happened during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. Pledges and gifts secured by our development crew have already exceeded $1.6 million, putting us on track to reach $6 million once again this year. Special “shout outs” go to Baylor Bassett and Bill Norris for leading the way. Coach Will Hall’s football team is 4-0 and already receiving top-25 votes, and both men’s cross-country and men’s golf have won tournaments recently. Alumni Relations has completed another successful homecoming and worked with Danielle Tackett’s team to make Dr. Marrero’s inauguration seamless. In addition, UCM is hard at work delivering the message of all the good things happening at UWG.

I appreciate all that you do to advance the university. I know that Dr. Marrero and the rest of West Georgia feel the same way. I feel honored to work with such a dedicated and professional group.

We all have much to be proud of. Keep up the wonderful work!

Bill Estes, Ed.D. Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the UWG Foundation

Congratulations to these staff members who are celebrating an employment anniversary! (since July 1, 2014) Wendy Cooley

Advancement Services14 years · Aug. 2, 2000

Dotti Green Advancement Services10 years · Aug. 4, 2004

Julie LinebackCommunications and Marketing8 years · Aug. 14, 2006

Mary HartDevelopment6 years · Sept. 23, 2008

Diane Homesley Development6 years · Sept. 23, 2008

Renee PritchettAdvancement Services 5 years · July 1, 2009

Carolyn FreckAdvancement Services3 years · Aug. 1, 2011

Alyson MoffittCommunications and Marketing2 years · July 2, 2012

Xiaojuan YouCommunications and Marketing2 years · July 2, 2012

Advance West. Fall 2014

AthleticsAthletics has started off the year with a bang in terms of involvement with the student community, as the Student Zone Tailgate transitioned into a new format with the advent of “The Hill” overlooking University Stadium. Providing free food, Monster and Coca-Cola products, college football on big-screen televisions, games and the opportunity to participate in on the field promotional activities, “The Hill” is a one-stop shop to help increase and engage the student community with UWG football and athletics as a whole. In addition, Wolves Plaza was recently created as a gathering and tailgating area just behind the student seating section. A bronze wolf that stands over 7-feet tall, 9-feet wide and 3,500 pounds guards the plaza and serves as a pinnacle for new traditions with Wolves Athletics.

UPDATES –––––––––––––Shout OUTS

AdvAncement ServiceSDuring this semester, Wendy Cooley went above and beyond her responsibilities to assist Financial Aid with reports dealing with scholarships and recipients. In doing this, she contacted various departments about their scholarship recipients and award amounts, and then worked to verify that the information corresponded with Financial Aid and the Bursar’s office reports. Way to step up, Wendy!

Alumni relAtionSAlumni Coordinator Kevin Hemphill was selected “employee of the year” for University Advancement at the spring Employee Appreciation Day, primarily due to his work in building a stronger online presence through social media and the introduction of AlumniDen, an online community for UWG’s alumni. Online registration for events has taken off since the launch in April. Kevin also attended the Summer Sizzler conference in Kansas City to discover new tools for the alumni program’s primary communications tool – AlumniDen.

Meredith Ledbetter has been promoted to assistant director and has assumed additional responsibilities. She has been instrumental in the expansion of the Alumni Association’s networks that are based on geography, affinity and academic programs. There are currently 13 networks across the globe with the goal of adding two additional networks this year. Meredith also served as this year’s single point of accountability for the association’s Homecoming plans, which attracted record numbers of alumni.

AthleticSCoach Tim Brooks received accolades in Wingfoot magazine from the Atlanta Track Club for his finish in the Peachtree Road Race. Among the 70,000 participants, Tim finished 130th overall. Congratulations, Tim!

communicAtionS And mArketingDepartmental Assistant Teresa Taylor joined the Office of University Communications and Marketing in July 2014, after several years of administrative services in the banking industry. Teresa works closely with the UCM staff in handling all administrative needs, including scheduling, purchasing and promotional material dissemination. She is the friendly face one first sees when entering the department.

Wolves Plaza dedication occurred Friday, September 19, 2014.

Wolves Helping Others had a banner year in the 2013-14 academic calendar, and the Wolves are moving in the right direction this year, as student-athletes, athletic coaches and staff members continue to participate in this outstanding program. Student-athletes are already visiting local schools to encourage the longstanding mantra of “Stay in School” and to help further drive home the important message of a high school and eventually a college education.

Advance West. Fall 2014The University of West Georgia supports the NCAA Division II initiative with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) brought out the buckets for the first time this academic year at “The Howl,” which is quickly becoming a must-attend event for students and the community in preparation for the new athletic year. SAAC had an outstanding response to the fundraising effort this year and will continue to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation throughout the year. Assistant Athletics Director Laura Clayton heads up the program as an advisor to SAAC, and she indicates that athletics is well on its way to raising this year’s goal of $1,000.

In efforts to increase student engagement at athletic events, Athletics has initiated a kiosk each Tuesday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. outside of the UCC. Athletics representatives, including head coaches, are encouraged to meet the student population at this kiosk in order to further increase awareness of athletic events and to have the one-on-one conversations necessary to build a “relationship” that lasts far beyond the time that a student walks across the stage at The Coliseum with a degree in hand.

Athletics has also been actively involved in building and increasing awareness through initiatives such as “Storm the Bus,” “Classroom Takeovers” and “Wallet Drops” through the first few weeks of the academic calendar. With “Storm the Bus,” athletic representatives ride the various buses around campus, handing out handbills about upcoming events. In “Classroom Takeovers,” athletics has coaches and players takeover a classroom, with prior approval from the professor, to talk about this week’s games and fire up the class. “Wallet Drops” are where athletic representatives drop wallets throughout the campus filled with small gifts from Athletics corporate partners and an invitation to this week’s game, where the student can return the wallet for a prize at halftime.

Each week, Athletics hosts “Paws on the Porch,” which provides a meal for a different student group. The program offers the opportunity for coaches and players from all athletic teams to mingle with the various student groups on campus. These events are held each Wednesday on The Porch overlooking University Stadium.

University AdvancementDr. Estes, our esteemed vice president, took the ALS Challenge following his team’s recent planning retreat at Sunset Hills.

Check out the video! http://youtu.be/dpLNIFOSDvY

Adrian Greer has joined UCM as the new associate director of communications.

Adrian comes to us from Georgia Regents University, where he was a writer/editor for the GReport and a contributing writer for a vast number of communications and marketing projects - including the university strategic plan, scripting for promotional videos and speech writing. He also served as liaison between the communications department and the office of the provost. Adrian has impressive professional experience in project management, media relations, management of print and digital communications, and editing. Adrian is a graduate of Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, with a B.S. in Communications with a concentration in journalism, a focus on business, and a minor in English.

Adrian will be relocating from Aiken, SC, and his first day will be October 1!

Jessica Hoppe is the newest member of the design team at UCM. Jessica graduated from UWG in 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in graphic design with a minor in marketing. While in school, Jessica interned with the UCM design team for two semesters and also served in a casual labor role during the summer of 2013 following graduation. Along with her talents as a designer, Jessica is skilled at drawing and painting in various mediums. She also loves hiking, snowboarding, music and sports. We are excited to have her as part of the team!

developmentDevelopment is off to a great start for our fiscal year! Baylor Bassett secured a $1 million legacy gift from an alumnus in Washington state bringing our year-to-date fundraising total to a $1.58 million. This is the best fundraising start in years thanks to our great team of hard-working professionals.

Jada Marcum has done a fantastic job in her new role as director of Annual Giving, planning and successfully executing four events for the Go West for A Day campaign launch with annual giving numbers trending extremely well. She has the major gift team and our academic partners excited about the new integrated approach for annual giving.

Nichole Fannin is leading the charge for the faculty/staff drive once again and doing a fabulous job.

Our new Coordinator of Donor Relations, Denice King, will join us on October 1. We are thrilled to have her on the development team!

Advance West. Fall 2014

UCM proudly launched the next evolution of the award-winning Go West brand campaign.

The University of West Georgia is going places: West (of course), north (admissions increases) and through the roof (division, campus and alumni pride)! We in University Advancement realize that UWG is on the cusp of greatness and moving closer daily to becoming the best comprehensive university in America, sought after as the best place to work, learn and succeed. And in the midst of it all lives the Go West spirit that has been enthusiastically embraced by the community – and recognized well beyond the campus. In an ongoing effort to continue to capture the attention – and imagination – of people across the state, region and nation, UCM is proud to announce a bold new iteration of the Go West campaign. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we roll out newspaper ads, digital ads, radio and outdoor boards, in tandem with the resurgence of our award-winning television campaign. In addition, view our new season ticket football sales spot, as the Wolves continue their quest to be undefeated.

UCM shared many accomplishments during the past months with our division through honoring the legacy of Lillian Williams,

supporting homecoming festivities, events and live game productions, and featuring dynamic support and content for the inauguration celebration. Here’s to more divisional and departmental successes as we aspire to become more engaged campus leaders and colleagues. Advance West!

Metrics-MindedUCM has submitted 35 news distributions in the form of press releases, media advisories or hometown releases this quarter.

We currently have the following social media numbers (cumulative):

Facebook likes 17,425

Twitter followers 2043

YouTube views 101,746

Instagram followers 185

Look for us on Pinterest very soon!

UCM was instrumental in assisting with the inauguration of Dr. Kyle Marrero, with each team contributing to its success. From invitations and creative design work, to videos, photography and press releases, the UCM team worked around the clock to represent the pride that we share in UWG.

The Alumni Relations team was heavily engaged with the inauguration of President Marrero with service on the steering committee as well as volunteer hours at all events. The AR Team also put on a fantastic Homecoming for alumni and friends with record attendance at the President’s Breakfast and the Alumni Tailgate, and an exciting Wolves Capture the Square event. Go West! Go Wolves!

The Alumni Relations primary volunteer organization, the Alumni Board of Directors, led by alumnus Greg Benda, has reached another milestone. For three consecutive years, the board has had 100 percent support of the Annual Fund. The Young Alumni Council also celebrated 100 percent giving.

In 2013 the Alumni Association launched a bid to raise $25,000 to endow a Legacy Scholarship. This new fund will be completely endowed by Dec. 31, 2014. Congrats to the alumni leadership for helping make this happen.

University Communications and Marketing

Inauguration

Advance West. Fall 2014

Alumni RelationsThis year’s Homecoming king and queen are members of the advancement team! Solomon Seaborn, a senior finance major from Atlanta, and Hayley Wilson, a senior special education major from Lawrenceville, serve as Blue Coats, University Advancement’s student ambassador organization that is supervised by Kevin Hemphill (Alumni Relations).

UA Calendar10/5 2:00 p.m. Soccer vs. North Alabama

10/9 7:00 p.m. iDebate Rwanda vs. UWG Debate

10/10 7:00 p.m. Volleyball vs. Christian Brothers

10/11 3:00 p.m. Volleyball vs. Alabama-Huntsville

10/13 Exhibit “Over Here and Over There: Georgia and Georgians in World War II,” through 12/7

10/14 7:30 p.m. Cabaret: Community Preview

10/15-18 7:30 p.m. Cabaret

10/16 8:00 a.m. Go West For A Day

10/17 7:00 p.m. Swing Time: Big Band Music from WWII Era

10/18-19 2:30 p.m. Cabaret

10/18 2:00 p.m. Football vs. Delta State

10/28 6:00 p.m. Volleyball vs. Lee

10/28 8:15 p.m. UWG Wind Ensemble

10/29 5:30 p.m. Soccer vs. West Alabama

10/30 8:15 p.m. UWG Opera Workshop Scenes

11/1 2:00 p.m. Football vs. Mississippi College

11/2 1:00 p.m. Soccer vs. West Florida

11/4 7:00 p.m. Volleyball vs. Valdosta State

11/6 7:00 p.m. Volleyball vs. West Florida

11/8 9:00 a.m. Alumni Board and Young Alumni Council meetings in LLZ6

12/11 8:00 a.m. –7:00 p.m. Alumni House Open House

Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2015: April 10-11