NCCU SCHOOL OF LAW SETS RECORD FOR ALUMNI FUNDRAISING

The North Carolina Central University School of Law reached its 2007-2008 alumni giving goal and set an all time record for alumni giving to the Law School.  The Law School’s Annual Alumni Giving Campaign began July 2007 and concluded on June 30th, 2008. Consistent with its strategic plan, the Law School established a goal of 14 percent of its alumni making financial contributions to the Law School for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.  The Law School achieved this goal which represents a 99 percent increase of alumni giving from the previous year.

Delores James, Director of Development for the NCCU School of Law and the person in charge of the alumni giving campaign, applauded the alumni giving increase noting that national rankings of law schools use alumni giving rates as the only indicator of alumni satisfaction. In addition, James stated, “Foundations and those in the philanthropic community consider a law school’s alumni giving participation rate when evaluating potential contributions to that law school.  A fourteen percent alumni giving rate will place the NCCU School of Law in a very strong position to pursue major gifts in support of our program of legal education.”

Durham businessman and NCCU Law graduate Mark Webbink was very happy to receive the news.  “I am very proud of what the alumni of our law school have accomplished.  We have every good reason to be proud of our law school and all that it is accomplishing, and the best way we can acknowledge that pride is through our financial support.  Many thanks to all who contributed and a special thanks to Delores James, our Director of Development for making us believe.”  Webbink serves as a member of the NCCU School of Law Board of Visitors.  He provided further assistance towards reaching the goal by offering a challenge match to the final 126 alumni gifts needed to reach the goal.

Raymond Pierce, Dean of the NCCU School of Law cited the success of achieving the alumni giving goal as important towards maintaining an affordable quality legal education.  Last year, National Jurist Magazine gave NCCU School of Law the number one ranking as the Best Value Law School in the nation.  “Strong alumni financial support plays an important role in maintaining that ranking,” said Pierce.   Pierce gave further acknowledgement to the alumni giving record by stating, “Delores James and her team have done an outstanding job in galvanizing the support of our alumni to meet this important goal.  This type of effort plays a major role in the continued strengthening of this institution.”