University of Evansville Magazine - Fall 2008 - (Page 13)

The Campaign for the University of Evansville Spanning to Cincinnati Photo by Barb Hogan “Two of my older brothers had started college at home, up in Oakland City,” he said. “As I approached (high school) graduation, I had an interest in UE, but didn’t really have the money. I still remember the lady – Diane Blackburn was her name – who worked in financial aid. She put together a [financial aid] package for me, and guided me in getting to UE and staying there.” Through his experiences, Steve now understands what went into that financial aid package. He wants to make certain that, when other young students need the same kind of help to get to college, it is there for them. Then, once they do arrive, he wants to make sure UE is able to offer them the best education available. “I don’t think there is an appreciation for the cost of education,” Steve said. “I don’t think people understand what it costs to keep a high-quality faculty, to give them the tools to do their job, time to do research, continuing education for them, building world-class facilities, and just the general requirements of running a campus – utilities, fuel, and all of those things. “That’s why I think it’s important that alumni remember their roots. We treated UE as a second home for at least four years; don’t just close that chapter of your life and move on. You have to keep it open, because UE is a private institution, and it needs its alumni.” James and Elizabeth Dodd James and Elizabeth Dodd have hosted numerous U•ENVISION 2010 campaign events at their Cincinnati home and are members of the Cincinnati Campaign Committee. For years, they have been members of the President’s Club, and they are dedicated to reuniting UE alumni and friends in Cincinnati with the University. All of that, and they are not even UE alumni. “Our involvement with UE came from Elizabeth’s time working for the University,” James said. “With her being in the music department, there were a lot of extracurricular activities that gave me the chance to get to know a number of the students and faculty.” The Dodds’ route to UE was circuitous. It started in Tulsa, where Elizabeth worked as a music professor. When James took a job with Fifth Third Bank in Evansville, she moved with him – but without a job. She answered an ad for an adjunct music professor at UE, and worked in that capacity for a year before being brought into the department full time. Elizabeth spent 11 years at UE teaching “wonderful” students, performing in faculty concerts, even traveling with students to Rome to be part of concert seasons there. When James was transferred to Fifth Third’s Cincinnati headquarters, his wife did not want to leave the job she loved. “We did the commuter marriage thing for a couple of years, which I thought would be cool and young, but I really missed him,” she said. “So I moved to Cincinnati, too; but UE was so supportive of me, of my concerts, and I really appreciated that kind of support for my own professional development and for our students. “That’s why, when we moved to Cincinnati and were called about hosting a party or hosting young people interested in the University, we jumped at the chance.” Now, the Dodds host several such parties over the course of a year. They frequently meet with prospective students in the area or with alumni wishing to reconnect. They have found that, despite the economy, people’s desire to help remains strong. “So far, contrary to what you might think, people are continuing to give,” James Dodd said. “I think they are being more selective about what they give to, but they certainly are continuing to give. “I think, from a financial standpoint, education really is the key to our success – it has been in the past, and it’s going to be even more so in the future. We have such a tremendous opportunity with UE, because it is such a strong academic institution. That’s why it’s important to host events like these, to get the alumni reacquainted with the University.” I w w w. e v a n s v i l l e . e d u 13 http://uenvision2010.evansville.edu/ http://www.evansville.edu

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University of Evansville Magazine - Fall 2008 Table of Contents Campus Connections Election Connections Where Are They Now? Stanley Says Aces A Program to Bank On Campaign Connections New Connections Alumni Connections

University of Evansville Magazine - Fall 2008

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