August 18, 2006

UCSD Launches Campus-Wide Faculty-Staff Fundraising Effort

By Judy Piercey

When Darcy Bingham worked at UC San Diego, she not only directed operations at the UCSD Department of Recreation, she also found time to serve as president of the UCSD Staff Association and chair the Chancellor’s Challenge 5K Run/Walk.

Today, the former staff member – who continues to stay involved with her UCSD roots – is playing a key role in the launch of the university’s first Faculty-Staff Campaign by challenging employees to make a difference in UCSD’s future. Funds raised in this new initiative contribute to the $1 billion fundraising goal of The Campaign for UCSD: Imagine What’s Next.

“Because I believe UCSD is a tremendous resource for both our students and the general community, it’s a true pleasure to help launch this effort and to engage the people who make this institution so great,” says Bingham.

With her husband, Robert, she has stepped forward to provide a challenge match to all staff members who donate to the UCSD Faculty-Staff Undergraduate Scholarship Endowment, which supports students of academic merit with financial need who are daughters and sons of UCSD employees. The Binghams will match every gift of $10 to $5,000 made by current, former or retired UCSD staff members to this fund during the 2006-07 fiscal year, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $50,000.

Stuart Brody, a faculty member in UCSD’s Division of Biological Sciences, also gives back to the university. “Because so many people are making The Campaign for UCSD such an important success for this campus, I wanted to join this generous community of supporters,” explains Brody. “I give to research here at UCSD because I know how important private support is for furthering discovery. Over the years, I also have supported students, the Paul D. Saltman Chair in Science Education and the Faculty Club expansion.”

As the university’s $1 billion fundraising initiative enters its final year, the campus extends an invitation to its strongest supporters – the UCSD employee community – to contribute in another way, and share the pride of realizing UCSD’s campaign goal. The theme of the faculty and staff fundraising effort is “Help Take Us Over the Top.”

Faculty and staff may designate their contribution to any area of UCSD that inspires them, whether it is science, scholarships, research, healthcare or the arts. Specific to the UCSD Faculty-Staff Campaign are two initiatives: the UCSD Faculty-Staff Undergraduate Scholarship Endowment with the challenge gift provided by Darcy Bingham, and the Staff Development Fund, which provides support for staff to participate in conferences and other career training opportunities.

To learn more about the Faculty-Staff Campaign and to give securely online, please visit the Faculty-Staff Campaign Web site. You may also call 858-534-6565 or email for more information.

Media Contacts:

Judy Piercey, (858) 534-6128
Karen Gajewski, (858) 822-3353