Team,
We did it – again! Back‑to‑back years surpassing the $300 million fundraising mark is no small feat, and I couldn’t be prouder of our division. This level of support fuels student scholarships, expands study abroad opportunities, helps us recruit top students, and strengthens our ability to retain and reward world‑class faculty and researchers. It also enhances the student experience through essential programs—from food scholarships to emergency support—and improves quality of life in communities across Georgia. You all proved what is possible when a team commits to excellence day in and day out. Reaching $300 million in FY25 was a milestone achievement and sustaining that level of excellence again this year required determination, collaboration, and heart. Repeating a record is the mark of a championship‑caliber team, and that’s exactly what we are!
What inspires me most is not just the final fundraising number, but the collective effort represented behind $300 million. You traveled, stewarded, strategized, created, analyzed, wrote, built, secured, welcomed, hosted, taught, led and innovated. You supported one another, stepped in where needed, and kept our mission at the center of every conversation. Every gift closed, every event executed, every fund agreement drafted, every system maintained—your fingerprints are on this success. We were no doubt DARing to Level Up this year, and the results speak for themselves.
As we start a new fiscal year, I hope you’ll take time to pause, reflect, and celebrate all that we accomplished together in FY26. We’ll do this as a division at our End of Year Celebration on July 30, and I look forward to seeing everyone there. Please take time away this summer and enjoy moments with family and friends – you’ve certainly earned it. Rest, recharge, and come back ready to jump into another great year together!
Thank you once again for your passion, your collaborative spirit, and your unwavering commitment to UGA’s students, faculty, alumni, and the Bulldog Nation. I am so proud of the impact we are making together.
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Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the UGA Foundation |
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Here are FY26 numbers as of July 9. Questions? Please email Danielle Free. |
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What You'll Find in the Pulse Blog |
Read the monthly Pulse blog
To learn more about each of these topics head over to the Pulse blog post!
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- Upcoming Alumni Chapter Events
- Campus Parking Update
- Parents Leadership Council Surpasses $10 Million
- Football Pre-Season Solicitation
- Bulldog 100 Nominations
- Tasty Tailgate Recipe Submissions
- Name a Squirrel Campaign Receives Award
- 40 Under 40 Announcement
- Mentor Program Update
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New York City, NY
July 27 |
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| Charlotte, NC September 14-16 |
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If you would like to schedule a visit with Jill, please contact Carol Barach to avoid double-booking. Thank you! |
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Katie Adams
Nashville, TN (July 28-29) |
Matthew Brown Athens, GA (July 30) |
Ali Elyaman Seattle, WA (July 20-23) San Francisco, CA (Aug. 13-16) Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 27-30) |
Courtney Hart Athens, GA (July 13 & 30) |
Chris Jefts Macon, GA (July 20-21) Carrollton/Atlanta, GA (July 28-29) |
Weldon Kolker Athens, GA (July 30) |
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| Elizabeth Kozak Athens, GA (July 29-31) |
Joey Lynn Augusta, GA (July 14-15) Denver, CO (July 20-24)
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Kate O'Reilly Virginia Beach, VA (Aug. 12-14) |
Michelle Rotondo Athens, GA (July 30) |
Christina Varnedoe Savannah, GA (Month of July) |
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Leadership Giving Team Travel
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Zack Robbins Tallahassee, FL (July 14-16) South Georgia (July 28-30) |
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| Julia Straka North Atlanta (July 21-23) |
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Parent Giving Team Travel
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Courtney Ayers
Columbus, OH (July 20-22) Atlanta, GA (July 27-29) |
Jamison Wood
Atlanta, GA (July 27-29/Various Trips) |
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| Meredith Glenn Augusta, GA (July 14-15) Columbus, OH (July 20-22) Atlanta, GA (July 27-29) |
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Mason Black
Nashville, TN (July 23-24) Austin, TX (July 26-29) Houston, TX (July 29) |
Kate Lantz Austin, TX (July 26-29) |
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Lee Zell Austin, TX (July 26-29) Boston, MA (Aug. 3-5) |
Mary Beth Mallard
Boston, MA (Aug. 3-5) |
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This month, we’re celebrating a remarkable full-circle fundraising journey powered by teamwork, persistence, and relationship-building.
What makes this story even more special is the donor's history with UGA. After earning his master's in 1977 and his doctorate in 1980 from UGA, he made his first gift of just $50 in 1992, followed by years of ticket priority and Alumni Association dues. Then, last year, everything shifted when he made a $5,000 gift to the Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment—over the phone with an Engagement Center Student Ambassador.
From there, the momentum grew. Kenny Marchyshyn identified him as a strong LAG prospect and referred him to Rachel Jordan. When Rachel first met with him back in August, he expressed interest in the School of Medicine and introduced him to Hudson Clare.
During an in-person meeting, Hudson recognized that, despite the donor’s longstanding relationship with UGA, he had never been asked to create an endowment or become involved as a volunteer. Hudson worked with Franklin colleagues and School of Medicine leadership to identify meaningful engagement opportunities, including serving on a virtual alumni panel and interviewing students for the inaugural Medical School class.
Along the way, Rachel kept the donor connected through annual giving, contributing gifts during Dawg Day of Giving and the Bulldog Blocks campaign. Meanwhile, Franklin’s Jack Hill and Hudson worked with the donor to establish a new endowed professorship, leveraging UGA Foundation matching funds to reflect the donor's vision and values.
Today, that early $50 gift has evolved into a $125,000 investment in UGA's future. High praise to Rachel—and kudos to the entire team—for demonstrating what collaborative, donor-centered work can achieve. This is the Bulldog spirit at its best. |
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📸 DAR Headshot Schedule 📸
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Open Position Postings in DAR
We encourage anyone interested in applying to do so. All UGA HR policies and procedures apply. If you know of a potential candidate who may be a good fit for an opportunity, contact Christy Dasher.
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- Welcome to Chris Terrazzano, Director of UGA Foundation Investments, UGA Foundation
Welcome to Carole "Lee" Zell, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Alumni Relations - Welcome to Kelly Angel, Administrative Specialist, Office of the Vice President
Welcome to Brooklyn Potter, Administrative Assistant, Career Center Welcome to Nancy Xiong, Creative Design Specialist, DARCOMM Welcome to Susan Volkert, Marketing & Stewardship Coordinator, Gift & Estate Planning Welcome to Alison Jibilian, Senior Expenditure Control Specialist, UGA Foundation
Congrats to Matthew Brown, named Associate Regional Director of Development, Regional Development Congrats to Adrianna Tanner, named Data Quality Specialist, Records Congrats to Abbie Jones, named Senior Human Resources Specialist, Finance & HR
Congrats to M.K. Miller, named Senior Career Consultant, Career Center Congrats to Daryn Zongrone, named Senior Career Consultant, Career Center Congrats to Meghan Kaniewski, named Associate Director of Board Relations, UGA Foundation
Best wishes to Madison Burney, leaving Regional Development Best wishes to Shearron Hamlin, leaving Donor Engagement & Stewardship Best wishes to Meredith Metcalf, leaving the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, Constituent Programs
Best wishes to Cheyenne Vessels, leaving the Office of the Vice President - Best wishes to Lauren Cook, leaving Strategic Programs
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Do you have information or a suggestion for an upcoming edition of the Pulse? |
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