The 15th annual Southern UniversitySystem Foundation Radiothon on Friday, Oct. 29, raised approximately $4.8million in pledges and money, an increase from last year’s total of $3.6million. The event, which was held in the Lakeside Room of the Smith-BrownMemorial Union, raised funds for student scholarships and academic programs.
The fundraising effort was broadcaston KQXL 106.5 FM, WEMX 94.1 FM and WXOK 1460 AM.
“This Radiothon is the mostsuccessful in the nation,” said Curtis G. Lee, Executive director for the SUSystem Foundation. “We stopped treating it like an event, and started treatingit like a process.”
The Foundation receives a 94 percentfulfillment rate, and 94 cents on every dollar collected. The national averagefor similar fundraisers is 30 cents on each dollar.
Companies such as Ford MotorCompany, Exxon and Casino Rouge are annual contributors to the cause. TheWalter Dumas Law Firm contributes roughly $100,000 every year.
Lee feels that establishing longterm relationships with large corporations aids tremendously in the Radiothon’ssuccess.
“We work at cultivating a long termrelationship, talk to them about our needs and then ask for their support andassistance,” Lee said.
Not only does the foundation takecontributions from major corporations, but individual pledges and monies arealso accepted. Southern University students were also encouraged to contributeto the cause.
“I made a contribution, because Ifeel that if we don’t give to our university, then who will,” said ArthurMonroe, Student Government Association president.
