FUNd Drive Gives Employees a Way to Support Students and the University

Fundraising

FUNd Drive Gives Employees a Way to Support Students and the University

Dan Nowaczyk believes when students choose ��Ƶ, it’s a show of support for the efforts of the faculty and staff. He, in turn, feels it’s only fair to return the favor.

That’s part of the reason Nowaczyk, Esports coach and an application analyst in the Information Technology Department, contributes annually to the University’s FUNd Drive.

The FUNd Drive invites members of the faculty and staff to contribute to student scholarships, academic programs or other areas of their choice.��

“Without our students, we wouldn’t be where we’re at,” Nowaczyk said. “Showing that support to them—that they show all of us by coming here to further themselves—is the least I can do.”

Established in 2013, the FUNd Drive has raised more than $600,000. This year, 321 employees raised $56,259. That represents 80% participation across all University departments. Twenty departments had 100% participation.

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Nowaczyk’s donation supports the Esports program.

“It may be a bit self-serving, running the program and all, but it goes toward supporting our Esports students through tournament fees, facility upgrades, food for tryouts and other miscellaneous things we do throughout the year,” he said.��

In addition to showing support, Nowaczyk said donating to the FUNd Drive helps students reach their potential.

“Whether it’s through renovations, updates of classrooms or labs, new facilities, or the donation is going toward clubs,” he said, “it all gets back to our students, and they’re the reason we’re able to do what we do.”

Liberal Arts Department Head Dr. Babak Elahi and former FIRST Robotics Center Director Bob Nichols ’74 co-chaired this year’s campaign. For the first time since 2019, University employees gathered in person for FUNd Drive events, which included a celebration breakfast at the end of the campaign.

“I agreed to co-chair last year’s campaign because it was a good opportunity to show that my department and I care about the institution,” Elahi said. “It also allowed me to engage with folks across the University. I’m always looking for ways to reach across department lines, beyond the faculty rank to my staff colleagues, and to boost a sense of unity and belonging. Co-chairing the FUNd Drive allowed me to achieve at least some of these goals.”

Participating in the FUNd Drive gives employees a chance to support a shared goal and express what they value, he said.

“The drive is important because it is an expression of our confidence in each other and our passion for our shared mission in higher education,” Elahi said. “It’s not so much the dollar amount that any individual gives. The important thing is the fact that we give. We’re showing that we trust each other as colleagues.”