Dean Sojka’s promise and the efforts of volunteer fundraisers across the college put Clermont in second place among all colleges and units with an 80% participation rate! To see Dean Sojka honor his end of the Clermont challenge at a public celebration earlier this month, check out this video of the ceremony shot by UC Clermont Co-chair Blaine Kelley.

Here are a few other examples of Deans who have challenged their employees:

• Arts & Sciences Dean Valerie Hardcastle promised to cut her hair “very short” if Arts & Sciences could make a similar leap in participation. There’s still time to make her pledge a reality, as all gifts received by June 30 count toward the 2011 effort.

• Allied Health Sciences Dean Elizabeth King offered to match the total donations of the first AHS department to achieve 100% employee participation. Since two departments – Analytical & Diagnostic Sciences (18 employees) and Communication Sciences & Disorders (23 employees) reached 100% on the same day, she matched both departments’ cumulative donations.

• College of Engineering and Applied Science Dean Carlo Montemagno is having a special drawing for all CEAS donors, with the winner receiving a scenic biplane tour.

There are also a number of special prizes donated from area businesses and attractions that will be raffled off in the coming weeks. Simply give by May 31 and you will be entered to win one of these great prize packages: (note – all donors who have given since July 1, 2010 are counted in the drawing)

• Root on the Redlegs – Four field-level tickets to Cincinnati Reds/NY Mets game on Wednesday, July 27^th at 7:10 and an autographed photo of All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips.

• Cincinnati Chili and Culture – Two admissions to the Cincinnati Museum Center and two Gold-Star Chili Vouchers.

• All Signs Point to Yes – Two admissions to the American Sign Museum, two Museum T-Shirts, and Let There Be Neon, a coffee-table book of sign art.

• Loops, Dips and Rings – Two adult admissions to King’s Island and two vouchers each good for an Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich and an order of Arby’s Steakhouse Onion Rings.

• Spring Cleaning Saver – A voucher good for $50 of dry cleaning at Widmer’s Dry Cleaners.

• Pizza and Pasta Perfection – A $25 gift certificate to Pomodori’s Pizzeria.

No matter your reason for giving – pride, gratitude, a dean’s challenge or to win one of these great prize packages – your gift makes us all stronger.

Thank you for supporting UC and be sure watch for more updates in our monthly newsletter.