The University of Kansas

United Way follows Phog's lead

KU campaign to begin Saturday

By Ben McCarthy
In fall 1940, Forrest “Phog” Allen penned a letter to KU faculty urging them to support the new charity organization “in the name of some of those less fortunate than we.”
“Home and neighbor are the warp and the woof of American virility and democratic hospitality,” wrote Allen, who was the first university committee chair. “We recognize the needs of our neighbors and we unfailingly respond to these needs founded upon helpful service.”

What was then called the Community Chest became the United Fund in 1956, and finally United Way in 1986. Through the name changes and the years, KU remained close to the local United Way agency as it helped raise funds for human service agencies in Douglas County.

On Saturday the tradition will continue when the United Way kicks off its annual pledge drive. Stephen R. McAllister, dean of the law school, holds the duties that Phog Allen handled 62 years ago. McAllister is chair for the second consecutive year.
After the enormous success and enjoyment of last year’s drive, McAllister went out of his way to request a return to the position.

“It was an honor to chair the committee last year; I enjoyed doing it so much,” McAllister said. “Deans get asked to do a lot of things, and some they do reluctantly, but this I had a great deal of enthusiasm to do.”

As chair last year, McAllister feared that the generosity invested in agencies aiding Sept. 11 charities would drain funds ordinarily given to more localized agencies. Instead, donations to the United Way hit record highs. More than 700 members of the KU community gave to United Way last year.

“The response was incredible last year,” McAllister said. “We collected almost $227,000, and we had never seen even $200,000 prior to that.”

With the economy experiencing tough times, and the campus not experiencing any pay raises over the past year, McAllister knows it will be an uphill battle to match or surpass last year’s success. However, the long history of KU and the United Way, coupled with the fact that McAllister sees the academic units as taking the campaign “very seriously,” may be able to produce yet another unexpected show of generosity from around campus.

“I remember being a student on campus and seeing the Jayhawk United Way signs; it was a tradition even then,” McAllister said. “The faculty and staff always seem excited to participate in getting letters signed by all units, pledging their support.”

This year McAllister and the committee have set up a new system designed to recognize individuals at different levels of contributions. In the past, the university recognized only the $500 donation level. New brackets of donation will give others an opportunity to get recognition.

“We wanted to do something to recognize more people because they truly do make the campaign the success that it is,” McAllister said. “Most people enjoy the recognition because it gives them a sense of accomplishment.”