Tepper School of Business
Tepper Annual Fund and the W.L. Mellon Society
The W.L. Mellon Society
Those making gifts totaling $1,000 or more each fiscal year (July 1-June 30) are rewarded with membership in the W.L. Mellon Society, which recognizes leadership annual gifts for the Tepper School. In addition, W.L. Mellon Society members also receive membership in the University’s Andrew Carnegie Society. Click here to learn more about the W.L. Mellon Society and its membership levels.
Tepper Annual Fund FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the Tepper Annual Fund:
Where do gifts to the Tepper Annual Fund get used?
Money donated to the Tepper Annual Fund each fiscal year is utilized in our area of greatest need, but rest assured those gifts are used strictly within the Tepper School of Business. The flexibility of this fund allows for the Dean to manage priorities based on the circumstance. In some years, scholarships may require additional funding in order to ensure the top students choose to attend Tepper. In other years, faculty opportunities may dictate an enhanced need. You just never know, and that’s why the flexibility of available money in the Tepper Annual Fund is important.
Does the Tepper Annual Fund provide scholarship assistance?
Absolutely. The Tepper School recruits the highest caliber individuals for programs regardless of their financial situation. In order to ensure the school remains accessible to students from a wide range of backgrounds, we rely on the support of alumni and friends. The Tepper School’s strategic approach to financial aid includes a fellowship program and financial aid assistant to the very best applicants.
Does the Tepper Annual Fund directly impact the student experience?
Again, the answer is absolutely. Under Dean Ken Dunn’s leadership, we’ve committed ourselves to ensuring Tepper students have a wonderful experience while they are here. Dean Dunn has made considerable investments in programs aimed at enhancing opportunities for study, networking and professional development. Support to the Tepper Annual Fund finances student clubs, case competitions and allows students the chance to interact with industry experts, to gain key career insights, and to engage in valuable networking. It provides additional study abroad opportunities for our students and has funded long-needed renovations to our facilities.
Does the Tepper Annual Fund impact the faculty?
Indeed it does. Gifts allow us to provide competitive salaries, which play a critical role in retaining our current outstanding faculty and recruiting new faculty. Additionally, increased funding for research leads to path-breaking discovery and continues to enhance our academic program. Within the competitive b-school environment, both of these needs are imperative in providing the high standards of teaching and academic excellence for which the Tepper School is known.
Why is my participation important?
The more alumni we have giving each year to the Tepper Annual Fund, the greater our ability to showcase the broad-based support found within the Tepper School of Business. Corporations, foundations, recruiters and so forth use the alumni giving percentage as one means of determining where they will make their investments. In addition, as we increase the number of alumni participating, it will help us continue to grow the prestige of the Tepper School brand and, thus, the value of your degree.
What does the current economic situation mean for the Tepper Annual Fund?
It’s clearly a difficult time for schools throughout the country, and we’re certainly not immune to that. With the current downturn in the markets, the ability to fund our priorities through annual giving takes on added importance as we weather the storm. The more our alumni and friends give to the Tepper Annual Fund, the more it will help allow our endowment to recover and grow to the $250 million level that Dean Ken Dunn has challenged us to reach by 2013.
Will my Tepper Annual Fund gift count toward the University’s capital campaign goal?
Yes. Every gift makes a difference as we strive to reach our goal of an additional $100 million raised by the Tepper School in the phase of the capital campaign that ends in 2013.
I received my degree via Tepper, but my spouse got his/her degree elsewhere within Carnegie Mellon. And my child/children may or may not be enrolled at Tepper, but they’re definitely at the University. Please help -- what can I do to make the greatest impact?
There are many couples who are both Carnegie Mellon alums, but only one has their degree via the Tepper School, so you’re not alone. Same goes for the case of a child or children who are current students.
While we certainly ask for your consideration in solely allocating the gift to the Tepper Annual Fund, one option is simply to split your gift amount between Tepper and another area of the University. This will ensure, at the very least, that we have your continued participation and support for the Tepper School for the reasons mentioned earlier on this page. However, you will feel the personal satisfaction and fulfillment knowing you have made an impact on areas of the University that affect your family as a whole.
Will my gift make as much of a difference to the Tepper School compared to a traditional community organization?
Remember, the power of giving is greatest when all participate. This is certainly true with the Tepper School of Business. While it may seem that a gift to your local community group may have an immediate impact, remember that gifts to the Tepper School reach far beyond our campus. We are educating and inspiring a new crop of business leaders every day, who rely on the Tepper Annual Fund for scholarships and other opportunities. In addition, Tepper faculty members are some of the leading business minds in the world whose research and contributions to society also are made possible thanks, in part, to support via the Tepper Annual Fund.
How can I make a gift by utilizing stocks, bonds, mutual funds or domestic/international wire transfer?
This is an easy process that simply requires us getting you a proper form to ensure the transfer is made smoothly. Simply contact the Tepper Annual Fund office at 412-268-5137 or email annual fund director Chris Hughes (chughes2@andrew.cmu.edu) and we’ll be happy to send you or your financial advisor the appropriate paperwork.
Who can I contact for more information on the Tepper Annual Fund?
Chris Hughes is the Director of the Tepper Annual Fund. He can be reached by phone at 412-268-5137 or email at chughes2@andrew.cmu.edu, and will be glad to answer any questions and help as you make your annual gift.
