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The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Foundation’s Student Call Center, formerly outsourced but brought back to the campus this year, is showing early success. The center has already surpassed the amount raised last year.
According to an SIUE news release, Josh Olmsted, assistant director of annual giving for the SIUE foundation and manager of the call center, said that the student call center was created in an effort to stay connected with alumni and friends, update records, and seek private support for the university.
“The Center has created 25 new student jobs on campus,” Olmsted said, who joined the SIUE Foundation in August. “We have been able to hire a great mix of students representing a variety of majors and programs."
"The students are experiencing great conversations, learning about the career paths our alumni have taken and sharing what campus looks like today," Olmsted said. "While our students are capturing information from our alumni, they are also gaining invaluable skills that will assist them in their professional careers down the road. All of our student callers have a passion for SIUE, and they are able to share that connection with our alumni.”
Olmsted started his fundraising career at Indiana University, a nationally recognized leader in philanthropy, while obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees. SIUE Foundation Director of Annual Giving Julie Babington said Olmsted is a “phone-a-thon expert” and has done a remarkable job hiring and training students. “We are delighted to have his specialized 'caller coaching' expertise,” Babington said in the release.
SIUE Vice Chancellor for University Relations Patrick Hundley said the phone program had been outsourced in the past. “Bringing the phone program back on campus has proven to be a success, as it has already surpassed the amount raised from last year,” Hundley said. He also pointed out the program anticipates bringing in more than $190,000 in gifts and pledges this fiscal year.
“The next time your alma mater calls, we encourage you to pick up the phone, give a warm hello, and take a moment to share your SIUE experience with one of our SIUE student callers in the Call Center,” Olmsted said.
Registered: Mar 2008
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