Investing in Our Community
January 19, 2023
Math-Econ professor champions fundraising outreach for UR Here 2022
Dr. Saif Mehkari, associate professor of economics, played a significant role in 2022 UR Here’s success by contacting a group of math-econ alumni and offering a personal fundraising challenge.
“It’s important to us within the mathematical economics program to build a strong, connected community where everyone feels a sense of belonging, so we do many community bonding activities with students,” he said. “This engagement with alums provides us with a source of funding, especially as the program grows.”
Mehkari helped raise approximately $1,750, establishing him as UR Here’s top faculty-staff giving champion. He also sent personal thank-you messages to each person who gave and committed to doing this outreach again for UR Here 2023.
“I think it is important to build a community that transcends the four years in college,” Mehkari said. “The promise to students is that while you are here, we professors, along with alums, will invest in you. Once you become an alum, we ask you pay forward by helping the next generation of students.”
Martha Callaghan, vice president of Advancement, said she is grateful to faculty and staff for their dedication to students every day. In fiscal year 2022, 399 staff and faculty donors — 16% of the total staff-faculty population — contributed $270,445 for the University’s students and programs.
“Faculty and staff are among the University’s greatest advocates,” she said. “Through our own personal giving, we have another wonderful way to support the areas of campus that we care most about. I’m so grateful to my fellow Spiders for everything they do to give back, in so many ways.”
“It’s important to us within the mathematical economics program to build a strong, connected community where everyone feels a sense of belonging, so we do many community bonding activities with students,” he said. “This engagement with alums provides us with a source of funding, especially as the program grows.”
Mehkari helped raise approximately $1,750, establishing him as UR Here’s top faculty-staff giving champion. He also sent personal thank-you messages to each person who gave and committed to doing this outreach again for UR Here 2023.
“I think it is important to build a community that transcends the four years in college,” Mehkari said. “The promise to students is that while you are here, we professors, along with alums, will invest in you. Once you become an alum, we ask you pay forward by helping the next generation of students.”
Martha Callaghan, vice president of Advancement, said she is grateful to faculty and staff for their dedication to students every day. In fiscal year 2022, 399 staff and faculty donors — 16% of the total staff-faculty population — contributed $270,445 for the University’s students and programs.
“Faculty and staff are among the University’s greatest advocates,” she said. “Through our own personal giving, we have another wonderful way to support the areas of campus that we care most about. I’m so grateful to my fellow Spiders for everything they do to give back, in so many ways.”