The university surpassed its $30,500 fund-raising goal by more than 7% this year, according to Georgia College Housing Marketing Coordinator Cindy McClanahan who voluntarily chaired the contribution drive.

“We all should be proud of our accomplishments,” McClanahan said. “We raised a total of $32,601.11.”

More than 290 of Georgia College’s 800 eligible employees pledged contributions via payroll deduction, check or cash. Other donations came from bake, book and calendar sales, McClanahan said.

More than $18,500 of the contributions will help support United Way organizations in the Milledgeville-Baldwin County communities.

“The department coordinators across the campus did a fantastic job,” McClanahan said. “We would not have been successful without their help.”

The Commissioner’s Award recognizes the runners-up for the Governor’s Cup awarded to state departments and institutions that have the highest contributions per employee.

The award will be presented to Georgia College during the 2010 kick-off campaign.

Georgia College raised more than $29,000 in 2008 for the State Charitable Contributions Program chaired by Human Resources Director Diane Kirkwood.

The Georgia General Assembly created the program in 1982 to provide state employees an opportunity to help others through payroll deductions that send their donations directly to eligible charities.

"I'm very pleased with the response GCSU employees give to the campaign each year,” said university President Dorothy Leland. “It shows how dedicated they are, not just to the university, but also to worthy causes in the community that support the well-being of others."