Charleston Southern began its journey over 40 years ago with $133,251 in pledges raised during the very first fundraiser, held in 1960 at the Francis Marion Hotel. This year, the alumni office is taking a cue from those early visionaries. We are asking our 10,000-plus alumni to keep the vision alive by remembering the past and supporting the future through this year’s Annual Fund drive.

The quality of colleges and universities around the world is judged by several criteria, but one of the most telling is the alumni participation rate -- the total number of alumni who make a financial gift of any amount to their alma mater each year. We want to increase alumni participation by 15 percent – a very big step for CSU. The Charleston Southern Annual Fund supports three critical need areas – the Loyalty Fund, unrestricted scholarships, and the Alumni Endowed Scholarship. Gifts given to the Annual Fund support student activities, faculty academic programs, scholarships, advances in technology and much more.

Giving back to CSU means more than just writing a check. Your donation helps ensure that our students receive the best education possible. When considering whether or not to support the University, please don’t break the chain of generosity started 40 years ago by people who saw the vision of what Baptist College could become. Your donation of any amount does make a difference, and will impact what happens at CSU today and for years to come. Select the area of critical need that is most important to you and please send in your gift by May 31, the end of our 2008-2009 fiscal year."

Your Annual Fund gift in support of unrestricted scholarships gives the University the flexibility to put your gift to work where the greatest need exists. Your gift will help bridge the financial aid gap that so many of our students and their families experience.

The Loyalty Fund is the largest component of the Annual Fund. Unrestricted gifts made through this fund are of critical need to CSU because they supplement the annual budget. Your gift will be used where it is needed most, and it will make an immediate impact on a student’s experience at CSU. By investing in Charleston Southern’s future, you demonstrate how much you value, believe in and support the University and its mission.