The University of South Alabama’s United Way Campaign recently held a reception to celebrate total giving of $275,254, making USA the largest employee-funded campaign for the United Way of Southwest Alabama. This total exceeded both the 2011 annual goal and the 2010 total.

USA United Way Campaign Chair Elmer Sellers, assistant hospital administrator for the USA Medical Center, was assisted by Dr. Richard Hayes, dean of the College of Education.

The USA United Way contributions came from 2,477 employees, and a larger number of leadership-level gifts of over $500 were committed this year. The number of leadership-level donors rose to 160 from 156 in 2010.

In addition, an effort to increase the number of female donors in the $1,000-and-up level netted 37 participants in the “Women’s Initiative,” which was led by Becky Tate, chief executive of the USA Health Services Foundation, and Senior University Attorney Jean Tucker. That was up from 31 participants last year.

The reception was held at the Faculty Club. Front row, from left: Dr. Joseph Busta, Jr., vice president for Development and Alumni Relations and United Way Chairman; Dr. Hayes; Sellers; USA President Gordon Moulton; United Way Campaign Chair Beth Morrissette. Second row, from left, departmental representatives Dr. Alvin Williams, John Ellis, Judy Miller, Marcina Lang, Ronda Girardeau, Suzanne Goins, Cindy Montee, Shirley Kargleder, Taralyn McMullan, and Jenny Manders. Third row: Tom Hain, Becky Tate, Sonya Logan, Scott Cox, Marian Zambrano, Debbie Mason, Patsy Kennedy, Kim Partridge, Cecelia Martin, and Dr. Philip Theodore. Back row: Lee Kopf, Norville Norwood, Ashley Suggs, Jean Tucker, and Reeve Cabral. 

The United Way has been serving the community for 84 years, tackling issues by partnering with 52 agencies in Mobile, Clarke, and Washington counties. Approximately 700 companies and organizations run an employee-giving campaign to support more than 125,000 individuals each year.