The 1986-87 NIU Alumni Relations Phonathon raised about $64,000 in alumni donations, 16 percent more than last year and 76 percent more than in 1984-85.

One reason for the increase is because of the increase in alumni contributors, Bob Brown, acting director for Special Giving, said. The total number of contributors increased by 34 percent from last year and by 79 percent over 1984-85, he said.

“It is our goal to have the highest level of alumni participation among all public universities in Illinois,” Brown said. However, Brown said he did not know how NIU’s alumni participation compares with other universities. NIU has about 10 percent of all alumni contributing and would like to reach 20 percent, but this goal might not be reached by next year, he said.

“The primary goal of our phonathon is to increase our alumni donor base by focusing on those graduates who did not contribute to the Annual Fund last year. Once an alumnus has contributed, it becomes a habit,” Brown said.

“When making major gift decisions, corporations, foundations and other major prospective donors often consider the percentage of alumni who currently support their alma mater,” he said. “So, the higher the level of alumni participation, the more attractive Northern becomes to these major donors.”

More than 1,000 student volunteers from 28 student organizations called about 24,000 alumni, of which 3,800 actually contributed. The donations will aid alumni and support student scholarships, Brown said.

Kappa Delta Sorority, 919 Greenbrier, raised the most money for an organization—about $9,000, Brown said.

Sheri Maly, an NIU student representing Alpha Phi Omega, received an award for raising the most money. Maly said she worked about three hours once or twice a week and called every person on the provided list of names. She raised about $950.

Part of the donated funds will contribute to the alumni job placement network, which helps alumni find jobs by linking them with employers recruiting at NIU. In addition, an alumnus could be linked with another alumnus in his area who has job connections, Brown said.

Another part of the funds are for 33 full-tuition scholarships, including 30 general undergraduate scholarships, two law school scholarships and one graduate scholarship, he said.

The remaining funds will go toward alumni publications and programs including Homecoming and continuing education seminars, Brown said. The seminars directly benefit alumni because they help further their careers, he said.

“The phonathon is only one part of the total alumni raising effort,” Brown said. At the end of the 1986-87 fiscal year, June 30, the Alumni Relations raised about $365,600, $100,000 over last year’s total, he said.