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Sweeney Challenge a Success
Never doubt the power of grass roots fundraising. With the publicity surrounding huge individual gifts to the School, such as Red McCombs’ sizable investment, it is easy to forget the power of aggregate gifts. But a truly exciting aspect of fundraising is the power of groups of individuals to collectively make an impact. Often, in the face of such generosity, many individuals feel that smaller efforts are not valuable. In fact, some of the most powerful donors are those who challenge others to give at the grassroots level.
The story of the Byars/Jordan Endowment and its catalysts, Steve and Cathy Sweeney, shows the difference a group of like-minded individuals can make. Both McCombs School graduates (Steve a 1990 MIS BBA and Cathy a 1987 Accounting BBA), the Sweeneys realized the need to make an already great program even better. And as alumni, they realized that improving their alma mater would increase the value of their degrees, as well as those of future graduates.
In addition, Steve is a member of the MIS Steering Committee, and he wanted to contribute in a way that would directly improve the MIS Program. And so the Byars/Jordan Endowment was born. The excellence fund is named for Richard Byars and Eleanor Jordan, two influential MIS faculty members responsible for the program’s national recognition. The endowment supports immediate department needs and allows MIS faculty to stay on the cutting edge of their discipline.
This November, the Sweeneys, inspired by Red McCombs’ investment and wanting to take advantage of the newly-announced McCombs Matching program, decided to make a further commitment to the endowment. With help from Elota Patton and Claudette Campbell of the McCombs School faculty and staff, the couple envisioned the Sweeney Challenge as a means to “mobilize the [Steering Committee] into financial support of the program.”
By putting up $10,000 as a challenge grant, available to match all individual contributions made during the months of December 2000 and January 2001, they rallied support for this valuable excellence endowment—for every contribution made, the Sweeney family matched it, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000!
With almost $10,000 raised, the Challenge was a great success, and clearly demonstrates the power of group contributions and the catalyzing impact of two people. Steve and Cathy Sweeney are true friends of the McCombs School, and their contributions and personal initiative are inspirational for all alumni who wish to support the continuing excellence of their alma mater.
For more information, contact Elota Patton at 512.471.4766 or elota.patton@mail.utexas.edu.
For information on specific programs at the McCombs School, consult our contacts page. For media information, contact the Communications Director by phone at 512-471-3314 or by email at CommunicationsDirector@mccombs.utexas.edu.
