For most people, this is the most wonderful
time of the year. School is out, summer vacation is starting and outdoor
activities are in full swing. However, for those of us who work at the Law School Foundation, this is
the most stressful time of the year. Today marks the beginning of the end --
the end of our fiscal year that is.
For those of you who don't know, last year
was the first time in American law school history that more than 50% of a law
school's alumni base participated in its annual giving program. That law school
was Virginia. We are proud to lead the country in alumni participation. It's a
sign of a remarkably healthy institution and further confirmation of our
standing in the very first rank of American law schools. It's also a sign of
how much the student experience endures long after
graduation.
But getting to or near 50% isn't easy and the
last week of the fiscal year is typically the "make" or "break"
week.
What's life like for us during the last week
of the fiscal year? Well, the days begin early. I am up at 6:00 am and in the
office by 7:30 am. I begin calling and e-mailing our alums who work on the east
coast until about lunch. Lunch is then brought in to the office so we can't use
hunger or lack of energy as an excuse for being away from our desks.
After lunch, I contact our alums who
work in the Midwest and the mountain states and then end the day with a virtual
trip along the west coast.
Our director of Annual Giving, Helen Snyder
'87, and Dean Jeffries threatened to roll in cots for the last few days in the
event we need to reach out to our international alums to push us over the
top.
Every time we move a percentage point closer
to our goal, an announcement is made in the hallway and people get excited. Me
-- I get up, see if there's any leftover food from lunch and go back to my
desk. It's important that we get to at least 50% again. It's something that
other law schools notice and envy. It's also something that has come to define
the legacy of our retiring CEO David Ibbeken. Well, back to work. If you
haven't given yet, you can do so here, otherwise, I'm sure you'll
be hearing from me or someone else on our staff.
I think it's kabobs and Lebanese food for
lunch today.
