Fall 1994 telemarketing nets 4,000 pledges

More than $325,000 was pledged to the university's colleges and schools and to support other programs of the university and the Alumni Association, including Mississippi State Alumnus magazine, student recruitment, alumni chapters and societies, faculty and staff recognition, and others.

Of the 4,004 pledges received, 43 percent were from new donors.

The telemarketing effort centers on using trained employees, in this case current students, who contact alumni by telephone to solicit contributions to the university's Annual Giving Program.

In an 11-week period this fall, the telemarketing staff of 30 students attempted to contact alumni from each college and school, 36,000 in all -- or almost half of the current alumni of record -- asking them to participate.

Annual giving solicitations are continuing this spring, Hutchins said, with parents of Mississippi State students being asked to contribute to the Parents' Fund in support of Mitchell Memorial Library. Other alumni and friends are being solicited through further efforts.

To contribute to the Annual Giving Program, please send your gift to Mississippi State Annual Giving Program, P.O. Box AA, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5526, or contact Hutchins at 662-325-8398.