According to the latest issue of Foundation News, published by the Arkansas State University Foundation, Inc., donors were very generous to ASU in fiscal 2003 .  The article read as follows:

Thanks to the continued support of alumni, friends, faculty and staff, the Arkansas State University Foundation Inc., realized a significant increase in charitable gifts to the ASU System's academic programs during the 2003 fiscal year.

ASU Director of Development Steve Watkins said there were 17,681 academic gifts to the ASU System totaling more than $6 million, compared to $4.4 million given in fiscal year 2002.

"We are continually encouraged by the support we receive from our donors," Watkins said. "Their belief in higher education and confidence in our ability to handle their gifts wisely is an inspiration."

Watkins noted that total gifts to the Foundation increased by 1,220, and that there were 1,146 first-time donors to ASU in the 2003 fiscal year.

The number of faculty, staff and emeriti faculty, known as ASU Torchbearers, who gave to the university remained constant at 633 contributors, compared to FY 2002's 636 participants -- a faculty/staff participation rate of 50.6 percent, based on 1,250 full-time employees on the Jonesboro campus.

"We believe we have the highest percentage of employees who make charitable gifts to their employing university in the state -- something we are extremely proud to note," Watkins said. "ASU Torchbearers gave more than $130,000 in charitable gifts to ASU during this last fiscal year."

All totals include monetary gifts as well as gifts in kind, and were received by ASU between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003.

The ASU System includes the Jonesboro campus, as well as campuses at Beebe, Mountain Home, Newport and Heber Springs.