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Cougar Graduation Challenge

What's the Graduation Challenge?

It's an opportunity that only soon-to-be UH grads get:  A head start on UH's oldest and proudest tradition of giving.  Just last semester 440 - or 10% of graduating seniors took the Cougar Graduation Challenge.  Alumni giving is a proud tradition across the country, with participation at Tier-One schools around 15-18%.  When YOU take the challenge as one way to celebrate your graduation, you can help UH to achieve these statistics. 

The challenge we're asking you to take is one that will impact UH every day.  We're asking for an affordable gift...just $5 or $25 shows strong loyalty and gratitude and still makes a big impact to a college or program of your choosing.  Did the library give you a place to study that helped you to achieve that amazing GPA?  Give to the Library Excellence Fund.  Did you receive a scholarship that made a difference for you?  Choose the General Scholarship Fund or scholarships in your college.  You choose - you can designate your gift to ANY program on campus. 

Take the challenge by making your first gift to UH today.

Graduation gifts are a way we can express our thanks to our campus mentors, recognize moments that fundamentally changed us as people, and a chance to be a part of something big.  As we become alumni, giving is a meaningful way to help make UH the best it can be.  Cougars don't settle for anything less!

Don't miss your chance to take part in your first tradition as a soon-to-be UH alum.  Can December 2010 graduates do better than 10%?  We know you will!

It takes just a few moments to be on your way to creating a big impact.  Previous alumni did their share in helping you, now it's your turn to give back.  Every gift makes a difference!  Take the challenge today!

Small gift, BIG impact

$25 x 20 donors = A guest lecture from a visiting professor or a whole section of high density shelving in the library (having a fantastic research university collection requires a lot of space!).

$25 x 40 donors = A computer system for the Academic Research Center or other student study and technology spaces.

$25 x 100 donors = A stipend to outstanding students who work with others seeking assistance with challenging coursework during individual tutoring and small group learning sessions.

$25 x 250 donors = A full tuition scholarship for a smart, determined student who might not otherwise be able to attend the University of Houston.

Take the Challenge

 

 5 reasons you should accept this challenge:

5.  Your gift will have an immediate impact on UH programs and future students.

4.  You can help next year's UH students get scholarships, helping them be PROUD to be a Cougar!

3.  Tuition and state funding does not cover the total cost to educate a student.

2.  All gifts support UH's effort to earn our place among the nation's globally-competitive and Texas Tier-One universities.

1.  Your gift helps to boost UH rankings in U.S. News and World Report, let's get to the top!

YOU ARE THE PRIDE, SHOW IT OFF COOGS!

What's the big deal?

Even as Cougar alumni, You are the Pride!  A university degree is really just the beginning of a life-long relationship.  When you continue to invest in it, it becomes more valuable.  A university's reputation today speaks for yesterday's, today's, and tomorrow's degrees. 

Did you know alumni participation is considered in university rankings, like those they publish in U.S. News and World Report?  For UH to reach 15% or 20% participation, it's not about the amount you give; it's just about choosing to make a gift.  Alumni who give back every year are among the university's most loyal and generous.

Everyone knows tuition is rising, but not everyone knows that tuition covers less than 50% of the cost to educate a student.  Yikes!  Every day, donations become a vital part of funding a Cougar education.  Whether you received financial support as a student or not, all students benefit from alumni gifts in the classroom or lab, when they use library resources or using technology on campus. 

The bottom line: Gifts from alumni make a difference on campus every day.

support

 

Take the challenge