There are a lot of things one could emphasize about the remarkable community of TC alumni, friends, trustees, staff and faculty that contributed to the TC Annual Fund during fiscal year 2019.
There’s the total of more than $2.2 million raised (the highest amount in the Fund’s history) – every dollar of it used to directly support teaching and learning.
There is – once again – the encouraging number of first-time donors who contributed (over 600), including Annual Fund Scholar Ryan Hata, who last spring joined with 60 fellow Class of ’19 graduates to add a combined $6,000 to the Fund. “It’s our way of giving back,” Hata said.
Carousel
APPRECIATING THE CONNECTION Thomas Bailey, TC’s president, called the Annual Fund ”crucial to our continued success.“ (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)
MARQUEE PERFORMANCE The TC Fund raised more than $2.2 million during fiscal year 2019. (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)
LOTS TO SMILE ABOUT Janell Drone (Ed.D. ’87, M.Ed. ’81), a Maxine Greene Society member, and generous TC supporter Janice Robinson (M.Ed.’76), TC’s Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs. (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)
THEY’RE FANS A group of fond former students surrounds Erica Walker (third from right), TC’s Clifford Brewster Upton Professor of Mathematical Education. (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)
TOASTING SUCCESS From right: Alumni Bobby Robaina and Thomas Rock (now the College’s Vice Provost for Student Affairs) with Stephanie Rowley, Provost, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs and a friend. (Photo: Bruce Gilbert)
There are the 2,170 loyal members of the Maxine Greene Society for Consecutive Giving, who have contributed to the Annual Fund for three or more years in a row, and there are the staunch John Dewey Circle members, who have made contributions of $1,000 or more.
But in looking out at the 200 supporters who had come to celebrate the Annual Fund in late September on the top floor of New York City’s Empire Hotel, Rosella Garcia. Senior Director of Alumni Relations, may have put it best.
“This,” said Garcia, “is family.”
[To learn more about the Annual Fund, click here. To make a gift now, click here.]
TC President Thomas Bailey recalled not knowing what to expect at the inaugural Annual Fund celebration, which was held in September 2018, two months after he took office.
The Annual Fund is “crucial to our continued success. It cannot be overvalued because it helps us meet emerging needs while supporting the continuing work of TC.”
— President Thomas Bailey
Bailey said he arrived at this year’s event filled with appreciation not only for the Annual Fund, which is among the most important barometers of the College’s institutional health in both the short and long term, but also for “the connection people have to Teachers College. It demonstrates your support, love and admiration for this institution and presents us with an opportunity to return that support, love and admiration in kind.” Bailey called the Annual Fund “crucial to our continued success. It cannot be overvalued because it helps us meet emerging needs while supporting the continuing work of TC.”
It doesn’t matter how much you give...what is more important is your participation.
— Richard Hutzler
Annual Fund Director Richard Hutzler emphasized that the Annual Fund transcends financial wherewithal.
“I want you to hear my message,” said Hutzler. “It doesn’t matter how much you give, we only ask that you give as generously as you can. What is more important is your participation, because every dollar you give goes directly back to our students and faculty.”